[BlkHawk73]

What kind of techniquedo you use as a hunter?

[pytron]

I'm a newbie but I've got a good record:

Lifetime stats:
1 shot = 1 deer

[Larry Ashcraft]

I was going to vote #1, but decided to be honest and voted #4.

[Preacherman]

Having seen the quite unbelievable amount of lead some African species can soak up and keep on running, it's no. 4 in spades for me! (Unless I'm shooting a 100-pound whitetail with a .50 BMG... hamburger special, anyone? :D )

[stevelyn]

I hunt with a Ruger #1 and I'm also a bowhunter. Although I haven't needed a follow-up shot on large game I can and do reload the Ruger almost as fast as a bolt action. When bowhunting I nock another arrow and unsnap the security strap on the revolver holster and assess the animal's reaction. An animal moving across or quartering away would merit another arrow if the field of fire were clear. One moving toward me would see a muzzle flash.

[Edward429451]

One shot one kill is nice, but being realistic I had to go with better be ready for another.

[MeekandMild]

Got to be #1. I"m too slow and stupid for #4. :D

[Fabrat]

Try hunting with a single shot -- one shot, one kill. If I can't be sure of the first shot I don't take it.

Fabrat

[H&Hhunter]

There is only one problem with the one shot one kill crowd. It's called shot admiring.

You'll find very few experienced hunters who are still in the "one shot" stage. This is because they have seen to many "dead" animals get up and run off. Myself included on several occasions of my own doing and many more as a hunting guide.

We should all strive for a good clean ethical shot that kills quickly and humanely. However it is irresponsible as heck not to take that insurance shot if you have a chance.

There have been countless heads of game lost to hunters who thought they made a good shot only to pass on another shot oportunity and lose the animal.

The pros will ALL tell you. If it's still moving your still shooting. Anything less is sloppy hunting. The lore of the one shot kill is taken way to far in this country.

[Edward429451]

Don't be the guy thats 'Ready Fire Aim'
Don't be the guy thats 'Ready Aim Aim Aim' either.

[Art Eatman]

The majority of my hunting has been for whitetail deer and coyotes. I'm really happy that the majority of my kills have required only one shot. I'm also happy that when a second shot was needed, it was more of a coup de grace than to prevent escape and loss of a wounded animal.

The obvious caveat, I guess, is that unless I'm pretty sure of the shot, I don't take it.

:), Art

[5ptdeerhunter]

This past opening day a eight point stepped out and I shot it it ran a little ways and stopped at about 100 yards. It was all hunched over with its back really high in the air and its head low to the ground. I could see something dripping from its mouth. I was ready for a second shot but I didn't want to shoot it all to jell so I figured it would just fall over. Boy was I wrong. It stumbled its way into the woods. Anyway to make a long story short. We finially got it after a half mile of running. Both the deer and us. All because I didn't take a second shot when I had the time and because someone (not me) couldn't just have patience.

[Newt]

If this poll were taken when I was 13 or 14, I would've answered "Let the lead fly". Now a days, when I come across whatever I'm hunting, I try to bring it in with only one hull laying on the ground, however, I am always ready with a second shot.

Newt

[4v50 Gary]

I'm not much of a hunter. Only 2 bucks - one w/handgun (that dropped but needed the coup de grace) and one w/bow (that ran about 75 yards and dropped). I voted one shot but follow up with another if necessary (#4).

A little is good, more is better and too much is just about right. :o

[P95Carry]

I'm with Fabrat ... I will not take a shot unless it is right .... too many variables etc? ... and nope .. leave that one.

I answered #1 of course but ... #4 has it's merits ... even Murphy can intervene and so a follow up should should always be made ready.

[Stickjockey]

Have to go with #4 on this one.

[meathammer]

Definately try for one good shot. I voted #4 because "stuff" happens. I like to be ready with a follow up shot. I've only shot one whitetail more than once because it circled around and presented itself again. First shot went through the lungs and it would've died anyway. If I don't think I have a good shot, I don't take it.

[Keith]

>>>>>It was all hunched over with its back really high in the air and its head low to the ground. <<<<<<

Classic gut-shot animal. They curve their back like that because relaxing the abdominal muscles eases the pain. Humans with abdominal wounds bring their knees up and go into a fetal position for the same reason.

Anyway, when you see that, KNOW that it's a gut-shot and shoot again, immediately.

Keith

[Dave R]

No honest dove hunter could choose option 1.

[Poodleshooter]

For deer,squirrels and other rifle game, 1 shot. For geese, I'm definitely #4. I seldom get those golden BB kills!

[ed dixon]

#1 is always desired, but #4 should always at least be planned. Even when using single-shots, muzzleloaders, or bows. Confidence and proficiency are good, especially when tempered by a little humility and common sense.

[plainsman66]

many a muley and elk have fallen after the first, but they never saw the next round get jacked in the tube in case they did'nt!murphy's law made me pick#4.

[Legionnaire]

I aspire to the first option, but practice the fourth. I don't take the shot unless I'm sure it will be a one-shot kill. But part of follow-through for me is to get that second round chambered ... unless, of course, I'm bow hunting.

Thus far, all my kills with a firearm have been one-shot drops. I say "drops" rather than "kills" because I did put a finisher into a buck I spined. He was dead but didn't know it yet, so I had to convince him. But let's not talk about the one-shot misses, okay?

[sm]

#4
Hey- Ruark learned the hard way to use a second bullet ;)

For a number of years now-Most of my hunting has been winged critters, and though I have taken 15 doves with 13 shells you bet I was ready to make another shot.

Ok maybe the groundhog I double tapped with a 1911 wasn't really needed...it was practice the principle- okay.:p

[Glamdring]

I have to say I get real sick reading all the "one shot kills" in gun rags. Or even worse the "I shot once and was ready with another but waited" because they want a one shot kill.

Why make an animal suffer for your vanity? Kill it as fast as you can. Why let it suffer for an extra minute or five or ten or hours if you have to track it all day? Just so you can brag about a one shot kill?

If you want a greater sense of accomplishment get CLOSER before you shoot or take long shots at rocks, paper, or steel.

[Duncan Idaho]

#4

[Delmar]

another vote for the 1 shot-1 kill, but I do have another in the mag jacked into the chamber just in case. Not a macho 1 shot-one kill thing with me. Although I use a turnbolt Remmy, I treat it pretty much as a single shot-that is, I have never taken a shot at a game animal thinking the first one will slow them up so I can make the kill shot with #2 or #3. Generally, your first shot is your best if you are actually aiming at the animal rather than point shooting-something I reserve for bird hunting.

[aerod1]

I hunt a lot with the Ruger#1 and the NEF Handi-Rifles. I also hunt with a bow and also a muzzleloader. I MUST make sure I have the best opportunity for a clean "one shot harvest" or pass up the shot.

Jim Hall

[kudu]

#4
I love using the Ruger No.1 rifles but I can reload very quickly nevertheless just in case. I have had to take second shots, even if the first shot would of done the business I don't care to chase an animal waiting for it to keel over.

[AndABeer]

In Africa, our PH was giving us some fecal material about using Ruger #1s. He shut up six dead critters later. :D

[digex]

I always go with a buddy. When one of us has a shot, the other is ready too. You take your shot and load another round. If you're not quick enough, then the other guy takes it before it runs. Maybe not the most "glamorous" hunting style, but we like to make sure it's humane, and tracking a deer through the brush for several hours isn't.
#4 for sure.

[splck]

I've hunted for three years, I've shot two bucks and one bull moose, and I used three shots.
I guess that allows me to pick #1;)