Second shot?

[stevewills]

i try too put as many as i can in turkeys or deer.i shot a big gobbler this spring and got three off on him,one dopped him and the second took out his neck and the third i hit my boot and shot over him..if a friends deer comes by after being shot ill shoot it too....

[TooManyHobbies]

My first trad deer I gut shot at 18 yards. Luckily for me, he only went 15 yards, left to right and stopped at 15 yards. I already had an arrow nocked and sent that one true, through both lungs.

 

[Bowwild]

Wingnut,
By the way, I congratulate you on asking this question. This is just the type of discussion bowhunters need to engage in, especially for the benefit of folks who haven't been in such a position yet.  These are the kinds of "what would you do" discussions I've had (and continue to have) with my son as he grew into a fine bowhunter.

[Zbone]

Don’t get it, what’s the difference between the first or the fifth shot as long as they’re still within your confident range?


Have had extra shots many times and will keep launching arrows as long as they’re within my range.


Had second shots where deer would come back and smell the first arrow to determine what spooked them.


As a kid, emptied my quiver at a nice buck while on stand during a late season January deer drive. It was during my compound days and six-arrow quivers. Will never forget it, and probably others I was with won’t either…8^) I’d shoot…miss…he’d spook back towards the drivers. Get nervous after a minute or so as the drivers closed, and again come my way. I’d shoot again, and again he’d spook back. Over and over until I was out of arrows…8^) By the time I nocked my last arrow, I was shaking so bad I could barely keep the arrow on the shelf…8^) Never did cut a hair, and ironically after my last shot once the drivers were extremely close he cut back between them. Hey, he didn’t get past me…8^)


…and personally, if blood is drawn on the any shot, I’ll empty the quiver (and have before) until the quarry is recovered.

[Jeff Strubberg]

I think this is one of those "It depends" questions.

Mostly I am with ChuckC.  If the shot is good, let the deer stand there and die.  Why take a chance on an iffy blood trail if you don't have to?

If you're not sure of the shot, then definitely try, try again.  Inside or outside your comfort zone.