Do You Take The Shot?

[rookhawk]

This thread has become extremely interesting!

 

[dobber]

When i hunted deer and used hounds we always practiced with the tire rolling down a hill, and put people based on skill in the different stands, it is very humbling to some who can tack a fly at 100 yards but put some movement and they can't hit a volkswagon
so depending on the gun and the hunters skill level it is up to them, i wouldn't do it anymore unless i got back out and did the tire target shooting and felt good about every time i squeezed the trigger

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

just curious about a tactic:

If you blow the stalk and the animal is say, running at 35-50 yards, is there a consideration of taking the running shot?

Generally speaking, no I wouldn't take the shot. I say that even though I'm generally at my best shotgunning when the bird suddenly appears and I just swing and shoot without doing a whole lot of thinking about it, i.e. it's just instinctual. But shooting a bird with a shotgun is far different than shooting a 4 legged animal with a rifle obviously.

So I say no because:
1. I virtually never practice for this.

2. Having lost an animal that I wounded which was not running when I shot it, I really don't wish for it to happen again. It's a sick feeling for me when an animal is killed and it goes to waste. Shooting at a moving animal increases the odds of this happening.

But the scenario you describe is a bit vague.
Is the animal a common duiker or is it a kudu? Size of the kill zone is obviously much larger on the latter.

You said it's running, but is it in flat out get out of this country speed or is it just moving briskly not quite sure of where it's going?

What is the cover like? Are there bullet deflecting/eating trees? Tall grass? Or is it fairly open?

If the target is an eland, he's not heading out at extreme speed, he offers a broadside shot and there's a clear path to the vitals, I may take that shot.

If the target is an impala, he's moving at just shy of mach 1, all I see are glimpses of two horns and it's white rear end through the thick bush, then no I don't take the shot.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Just MHO:
I've taken a lot of game, big and small, on the run with an open sighted rifle and at close range. Heck, where we deer hunt, if you don't take a shot at a moving deer, you ain't taking a shot! The brush/cattails in the creek bottom is so thick, and they don't come out after opening day.......the only way to fill your tag is to go in and roust them out. I have also done a fair amount of wingshooting, so I think that the idea of "lead" is somewhat "automatic" in my brain when it comes to tracking and hitting a moving target.
Now, I will also say that I have shot at a LOT of (nonliving) moving targets, from clay pigeons to balloons blown by the wind, etc. , so I am comfortable and confident in my abilities to make a fatal hit.
I don't think I would try a running shot with a scope sighted rifle, as I haven't had a whole lot of experience on running game with a scope.....with open sights (such as on my Winchester 94 or M1A1), I can see the target, my sights, the distance, the angle, how fast the critter is moving, etc. and all this gets rapidly processed in my head ....for some reason, with a scope I'm just not able to do this as quickly, and maybe that's because we depend on scopes for "long range" shooting? Just a guess..........
Would I do this (take a running shot) in Africa? Probably not........1.) if I'm hunting Africa, it is a game rich environment, and there is a very good chance that another critter (and possibly a better one) will come along and offer me a better shooting opportunity. 2.) If I have to pay if blood is found, I want to make sure that it is a great hit, not just a good hit. 3.) I've seen the kind of punishment that some of these animals can take and keep on going, so I again want to make every effort to make a good hit. 4.) Going back to #1, there really isn't any need to. Unlike here in the states, there is no "closed" season, you are most likely there for at least a week (as opposed to a day or two maybe back at home), etc.

I will say that if you are going to attempt shots at running game, build your confidence on nonliving moving targets, such as the tire mentioned above, balloons blown by the wind, targets on a rail system , etc. I do NOT believe that just because an animal is not considered a "trophy" or a "game" animal (i.e. coyote, raccoon, rat, etc) that is should be thought of as something for "target" practice.......I think if you are going to kill a living critter, it deserves the same considerations as one would give a bull elk or monster kudu with re: a humane kill.......but that is just my opinion.

Just my thoughts............yours may vary.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

It all depends on your ability. If you are confident you can make the shot being honest with yourself and have the experience to back it up... Go for it. If there is any doubt.... Don't. I have taken running game and I've missed a helluva lot of running game. It always risky. I have decided that, with my self, I'll only take running shots at animals I've already hit such as follow up shots. That being said never say never but I try to avoid it as its a low percentage shot in that it's less than 90% for me at least.

I agree with Gizmo.
Witold

 

[Nyati]

In Europe most hunting is done on running game as we usually do driven hunts. I have taken wild boar, mouflon, and red deer in this way. In Africa Kudu, Warthog and Black Wildebeest.
It also helps that during many years I competed in ISSF Runnig Boar. You shoot with a .22 rifle but get lots of practice on moving targets.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Cool video.
Witold

 

[Longwalker]

I believe the ability to hit running game is just one part of being a competent hunter and rifleman. But perhaps my experience is not typical. I do a lot of wingshooting, and it certainly helps one build confidence with a rifle.

I have killed more than a third of all my game animals with running shots. I don't take running shots so much in recent years, but traditional deer and moose hunts in our part of Canada involve "pushing bush" (driven hunts) when groups of hunters ( bush pushers) chase game out of wooded areas to the shooters. In my formative years, I almost didn't know you could shoot a deer or moose by just sneaking up on it and shooting it while it was standing still. I have also had the opportunity to participate in a few Drückjagds in Germany, again where shooting running game is the norm.

If I couldn't hit a running animal at shotgun range I would be very very upset with myself. But after taking a lot of beginners hunting and knowing how stressful it is to attempt to hit moving animals with a rifle with limited practise and experience, I recognize that it's not for everyone.

 

[Divernhunter]

I would, I have and I have been very successful doing so on PG, Deer(just about the only shot you get where I hunt most), hogs and pronghorn.

Practice helps along with shooting birds with a shotgun.

To each their own. If you can then yes. All real hunting is not like you see on TV.
If you are not comfortable taking a moving/running shot then do not do so. I hate to see wounded animals especially ones you do not recover.
I also do not use a scope that needs 47 adjustments before shooting. Lower power(3X9X40) scope set on the low power with simple duplex reticle also helps when mounted on a proper fitting rifle
Sorry to go against the larger NO crowd but I have been doing running shot for many years. My largest Blacktail deer was running full out at 70 yards and shot as he jumped over a log. He piled up where he landed. If I waited for standing shots I would have killed very few animals. I took a number of shots at moving PG animals in SA and all but one were one shot kills. The one was my mistake and the Gemsbuck was taken with a RUNNING shot at 175 yards.

 

[Slugs Away]

The situation is less than ideal. However if i had a semi auto, pump or lever action rifle and confident of taking the animal. Then yes, I would take the shots.

 

[Slugs Away]

And also depends on the type of sights. A red dot being ideal.

 

[Philip Glass]

When I was a kid I'd go hunting at our ranch with my dad. He would drive until he saw some deer and then he would just turn off the truck. I'd then have to spot the deer get out of the truck and try to make a shot. By this time they were usually running. Frustrating at the time but I have no hesitation on running shots now. Not saying I'll make them all but if conditions are right I'll shoot. Not for everyone for sure!
Regards,
Philip

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Many times a short whistle will stop an animal dead in its tracks and give you a second chance. Probably not going to work in a dead run, but if it is kind of moseying, it works.

If you want to get good at it (or anything else) you'll need practice. It sounds like you've had plenty of instruction on a shotgun; you could call **NOT**PERMITTED** and tell then what you need and they will put something together for you with a rifle. If instruction isn't your thing or you can't get there, you could do the old target-in-a-tire if you have a hill at your range, or tie a helium balloon to a remote controlled car.

 

[Buckdog]

I grew up jump shooting running deer or driven deer with semi autos and open sights, shot many animals on the move in brush so yes i take the shot but only because i am used to it and confident at moving target less than 100yds over 100yds would not shoot. if you have no experience or are not conifident dont take the shot. and to be honest the semi autos were the thing for this as the first hits werent always great ,but dad said slow em down with the first then finish with the second! It is a lost art, we used a tire swing on a rope with a 22 to practice and did lots of wing shooting.

 

[wesheltonj]

Great way to gut shoot an animal. I gone it, on White Tail and a Bob Cat.