Wounded Ethics
Kemo Sabe
6/28/09 6:33pm
Dr. Ed Ashby wrote: "Several decades ago, when I first began bowhunting, it was a rare occasion when any bowhunter in our camp hit a big game animal and failed to recover it. As the years went by, I felt that the number of animals being hit by bowhunters and not recovered was escalating. Eventually I became certain that the wounding rate was increasing. Why? What was causing this increase in hit and lost game? The question intrigued me. As I delved into the subject, I found that researchers in the field of wildlife management had already detected the same trend."
Here's a link to Dr. Ashby's work:http://www.tradgang.com/ashby/
Although there are a lot of factors involved, one thing I've noticed over the years is a change in hunter attitudes about wounding. It was once a hunter's shame, but a growing number of hunters are freely admitting to it as though it's some sort of an accomplishment. And in between are those who say that wounding is inevitable, which suggests an attitude of acceptance.
So the question no one seems to think about is that even if you accept the idea that wounding is inevitable, at what frequency does it become something else?
Here's a link to Dr. Ashby's work:
Although there are a lot of factors involved, one thing I've noticed over the years is a change in hunter attitudes about wounding. It was once a hunter's shame, but a growing number of hunters are freely admitting to it as though it's some sort of an accomplishment. And in between are those who say that wounding is inevitable, which suggests an attitude of acceptance.
So the question no one seems to think about is that even if you accept the idea that wounding is inevitable, at what frequency does it become something else?
10,307
l was always taught (by my Dad and older bro's) that if you hit a deer, you search until you find it. If l had a blood trail, regardless of the size of the animal, the remainder of my trip was spent looking for that animal. Any hunting from that point on consisted of hunting for the down animal. We were never allowed to continue hunting if we hit a buck and didnt find it. It taught us two things; 1)when you see a deer be sure it is one you want to shoot, and 2) both the sport and the animal should be respected
Otherwise it would turn into just what you said, numerous animals being wounded without honest pursuit. It would come down to getting the deer that ended up closest to the road because it was "easier."
Just my 2 cents...
Thanks,
Brandon
I would say that 90% of the critters I've taken (with a compound) have been 40 yards or less. There have been a few at some further distances (40-63)......depending on the situation.....but those are not the norm. My closest shot was 3 yards on a javelina with my longbow. My longest was 63 yards.....last year (Strip). I actually chose not to shoot at the bigger buck that was right at 70 yards, as it was just too far, IMO. Could I have made that shot.....probably. But I also know that a lot can happen at that distance as well. In fact, looking back, I proabably should have tried to get closer than 63 yards.....but I caved into my own pressure, IMO. Even though I made a heart shot on that buck, in reality, I was aiming for the lungs and shot a bit low, into the heart. A lesson learned and reinforced in the ol' BOHNTR book for sure.
I practice out to 90 yards (compound) routinely and hold fairly tight groups with broadheads at that distance. It's simply not a distance I would ever shoot at an un-wounded animal.......in actuality my final stalk in socks generally begins at 100 yards. Now-a-days you see guys producing videos that are shooting 90-110 yards at critters. Just not for me is all.
Thanks again,
Brandon
Respect your abilities and limitations and above all the animal.
A lot can happen in the time it takes for an arrow to travel the distance to the target. How many deer have you seen duck a bow shot at close quarters.
Try this: Have someone use a stop watch while you shoot. Start the stop watch at the release of the arrow and stop it on target impact. Now using that time see how far you can walk. How much distance were you able to move during that time?
An animal does not have to hear your shot to start moving. It could just decide to move because it wanted to.
Point being the closer the shot the fewer variables involved.
My $ .02
my furthest shot was 35 yards and my closets shot was 5 yards. average was around 20-22 yards.
I did try a shot on a 190 class buck out to 80 yards and it jumped my string and was in the next county when my arrow smacked right where it was standing
I also had a shot on an elk at 55 yards and had the same results.
Lesson learned.
If you are not willing to put in the effort that it takes to truly harvest an animal and not just shoot it, then you don't deserve to be on the mountain and hold a tag.
I would like to know what some other tricks are that have people used to make sure they harvest their animal?
Good post and best of luck and safe hunting to everyone this upcoming season.
At 300 ft/sec it takes an arrow the following times to hit the target.
10 yds 0.1 sec
20 yds 0.2 sec
30 yds 0.3 sec
40 yds 0.4 sec
50 yds 0.5 sec
60 yds 0.6 sec
70 yds 0.7 sec
80 yds 0.8 sec
90 yds 0.9 sec
100 yds 1 sec
The times are a fraction longer when you get out really far (80-100) because of the curved trajectory you are not really shooting 100 yards you are shooting an arc which is slightly longer than 100 yards but you get the point.
Take those times for what you will. Some may think that is not enough time to react some may think that is plenty of time for the animal to react. I think the animals state of awareness and alertness definitely should be considered when any long shots are attempted.
I would like to know what some other tricks are that have people used to make sure they harvest their animal?
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I have found the best thing to do when tracking a wounded animal is follow the direction that they are taking and find the nearest water. This is what has worked best for me and those I hunt with.