Rookie deer hunting question

I'm headed out into the woods tomorrow morning to deer hunt for the first time. I've spent parts of the summer planting food plots, building a box blind, and just thinking and talking about hunting deer. One thought and concern that I have is what do I do if I shoot a deer, track its blood trail and find it on the ground alive and in pain but unable to run off. I wouldn't think shooting it at close range would be a good idea, but can't really think of what else to do. Maybe slice the neck to bleed it out, but is getting that close to it safe? I'd sure hate to get kicked by a flailing leg. What does a person do in this position?

Any other tips for a rookie?

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer

I would put it down as quickly as possible.

Shoot again. Make your first shot count. I would like to say I have never had to take an extra shot but.... Don't get nervous and make your shot count. Only time I ever tried to muzzle loading, I shot 40 feet in front of the deer, only time I ever got "buck fever"

After the shot watch and listen . Watch where is goes and listen for a crash (falling down) . If you dont see or hear the crash you should wait at least a hour. After the deer is shot and its a bad shot the deer will run a ways then lay down more likely bleed out and die. If you try to find the deer after a shot like that you will push (get up and run) the deer and it run off and you may never find it. Its best to wait an hour before you go after it if you dont see or hear it crash.

That is a very good point, I agree

Make the first shot count.Just wondering what are you going to do with the deer after you kill it?

First off make sure what ever the gun your using you have shot it and am comfortable with it and know the range you can shoot it successfully. Also know what?s behind what you are shooting at,I have been hunting for 50 years and if not sure of my shot then I don?t take it. I have been shooting the same rifle since 1971 a Remington .243 at the ranges I shoot in Texas most are under 100 yards due to brush and I always shoot them in the neck and then there is no need to track them. After that the work begins in cleaning the deer and either you process the meat or find a processor to do it. I hope these suggestions help. I just came in from hunting and only seen 4 does and let them walk.

I kill animals, not because I want to, they destory (hogs) more than they're worth. I eat some, but not all. I get rid of them becaue of so much damage. If you worry about not killing on the first shot, maybe you should not hunt. When they start whining/crying , making a sound of dieing, it's not something for the weak hearted. Maybe go to the store and buy a thick steak, you'll injoy it bettery.

Yes, a close-range finishing shot is the best solution in your scenario. No one wants to have to do it, but things aren't always perfect and a wounded animal needs to be put down as quickly and humanely as possible. Your instincts to keep a safe distance are correct. A hunter was recently KILLED by a wounded buck that he approached on the ground thinking it was dead. Keep your rifle in hand and pointed at the animal as you approach from behind. If a finishing shot is required, moving around to get in position for a heart shot will cause the least damage to meat and dispatch the animal quickly.

I have been hunting deer for 30 plus years now. If still alive do not get to close or yes can send you to the E.R. room. A buck can drive an antler into your leg etc. and then your in trouble. Take another shoot finish it off before getting so close it can get you. I knew of one guy who tried the cut a deer throat and walk up over the top of it and he pull its head up and it then stood up and took him for a ride and he got off but the strap of his gun was over the antlers and the deer took his gun for a ride and in the end well the gun was junk. By the way was in years past a hunter safety instructor

I've got and idea on how to gut a deer. The rest I'll learn by doing. I have some neighbors that have told me to give them a call if some help is needed with gutting or dragging it out of the woods. I'm looking forward to being out there with nature.

I always carry a little .22 pistol in my pocket when I'm deer hunting in case I do have to make a close up shot to finish it off.

In MO that could cost you big time as in fines and not being able to hunt for a number of years

The way I was taught was.. Shoot, listen, smoke a cigarette, THEN track it..
when u find it.. ALWAYS ALWAYS.. poke your barrel into it eye to see if its alive..
NOT drive it in.. just poke it..
IF no movement.. FILL OUT THE TAG & PIN IT & start draggin'..

IF there is movement, a close-up shot IS required.. That's just how I was taught.

I've got and idea on how to gut a deer.


With a statement like that the next logical question has to be do you have the stomach to finish the job.

We all have to learn and you have some help so good luck.As far as cutting up the deer meat its like a fellow I used to work with told some guys making fun of how he cut up
a hog."What didn't go on one side the knife went on the other"

If the deer ran very far and you waited an hour where I hunt the coyotes would be working on the deer pretty good by time you found it most likely.

YEP IN A HEARTBEAT. If its a buck,cut scent glands off back legs as soon as possible

All very good replies, May I suggest hunting with a mentor your first time out.

From what I read you are doing everything right. Most of us have had friends, Brothers, and Dads help. I be leave you will be a responsible hunter. If you can take that second shot....

The best thing you should have done well in advance of the season is make absolutely sure that you have your rifle sighted in for range you can shoot and know that you are proficient at using this rifle after practicing enough with it. At that point, a good kill shot in the vitals is still all on you to accomplish.

All will get nervous to some degree, what do they call it, "Buck Fever" ? It's how you deal with that and stay calm to exercise good shooting etiquette to place that shot accurately in the vital organ area. If you rush or "knee jerk" a shot, results like you fear can and will happen. Make sure there are no obstructions in the path of the bullet if you hunt brush or thicket areas.

It is good that you have considered this, it can and will happen to the most experienced hunter. I've experienced it a few times unfortunately and I pride myself on one shot kills. A sidearm is nice to have if you have to get close, but I have taken close and or 2nd shots with the rifle to get the job done. I've also had to get up close and finish the job by hand at least once from memory and that was not pleasant. I've raised these animals and know them well enough to respect the strength and instinctual motivation they have to survive, never put yourself at risk.

I would also advise that you are either well practiced in the positions that you shoot or that you have a very solid rest to shoot from, better to make things easier to accomplish the goal, a kill shot in the vitals with the 1st shot.

In '17, I had not fired my rifle since the last season, but knew it was sighted in and hitting where I aimed. I saw a buck just before 8AM and had been placing crosshairs on other deer prior to this so I could practice my breathing and stay calm enough to place an accurate shot. This buck was at the very end of my shooting range, which is a measured 300 yards. I took the shot and it dropped in it's tracks, literally. 15 minutes later, say around 50 yards closer a doe came out and I took that one too. Dropped in it's tracks. A friend witnessed the results of these shots, and there is no bragging to be done as although both were very good kill shots, something could have gone wrong just the same. My scope was an inexpensive refurbished Simmons from the Sportsman's Guide in the mid 90's, 44 Mag with the 44mm objective, not anything high end like what replaced it last year. I had to estimate on the vertical cross hair as to how high to place my shot to account for about a 14" bullet drop. That leaves a range from top to bottom on the animal in the vitals. There was no wind and I knew I was good in that direction, but there was no real precision, just me and knowing my rifle as it was set up at this time. I'll likely never see anything like that again on opening day. Filled both tags and was done for the season. Last season I upgraded to a very nice scope and the increments are M RAD, not MOA and I'm not used to it as of yet, but I did sight it in at the 2 known distances I will shoot at with relative ease using a bore sight laser. The results were filling 2 tags on the same day, one morning, one evening, both good shots in the vitals. I will check my accuracy again today or one afternoon this week to be sure the rifle is sighted properly

Your best bet is to be proficient with your rifle at the ranges you will shoot, and or taking in some mentorship from an experienced hunter proficient with firearms.

In the situation that you describe the only safe thing to do is shoot again at close range and put it out of misery. Do not try to cut it?s throat. Down deer usually thrash around a lot and can do some damage with their feet and horns if it is a buck. If you make a good shot they may be dead or almost dead by time you reach them but if not I don?t like to see them suffer. I usually would shoot them in the head at that point. If you can carry a handgun that may be handier for the close up shot. I would also advise watching someone with experience gut the deer while you watch and learn. Good luck.

make the first shot count. Give it 1/2 hour before going after it. If you try going to it right away it can dump adrenaline into its system and run a long ways AND the meat will not be fit to eat. Giving it time will keep that from happening. They will usually lay down and die if nothing is chasing them. Be sure to remember where it was when you shot it and start tracking it from there.

You don?t want to gut shoot it. And you don?t want to bust the innards when you field clean it. Paper towels , rubber gloves , sharp knife and some research will make for a much more pleasant experience. Good luck and be careful.

Same in Ohio.

This is why a lot of hunters carry a pistol. Don't try to cut it shoot it. ! Better yet one shot one kill . Make the first shot count.

You absolutely shoot a down, but not dead deer. Shoot it through the heart lung area again. the deer will expire quickly. DO NOT TOUCH THE DEER IF IT IS STILL ALIVE. Touch the deer's eye with the end of the gun barrel and watch for a reaction. If no reaction the deer is truely dead. Sounds like you have prepared yourself as well as you can (assuming you have done adequate practice with your rifle). When you see that deer,your adrenalin kicks in and you feel about ready to jump out of your skin. Take the time to calm down and don't try to shoot until you do. If you can't get the heart rate down, don't shoot. Good luck.