How many shots to take down your game?

[NorthIdahoDude]

A single well placed bullet will do the trick, every single time. On rare occasions, it takes more than one try to place a bullet well.

YMMV.

 

[glock233]

My main priority is rodeo prevention. If he’s still standing then I’m still shooting. Has led to overkill. But I’m sure it has also led to fewer lengthy searches.

 

[49ereric]

Quartering shot and suspect you just hit one lung keep shooting. Broadside shot behind the shoulder and the shot is good then one and done. Just deer here.

 

[timekiller13]

In my younger less experienced days there were handful of rifle shot deer that required follow-ups. All due to poor shot placement/excitement and lack of experience on my part.

I can’t think of animal that I’ve shot with a rifle in the last 20 years that required more than one shot. A couple spine shot bow kills needed a follow-up.

 

[streamerfish]

I don't know exactly.....

My guess is something like 2.5 shots average on elk. Like a few mentioned, I hunt thicker timber, I want them down as quickly as possible. Most of them were "dead" on the first shot, but didn't fall over immediately on the first shot, so they got more until they did. Is it potentially unnecessary, yeah probably. But I don't want to track. I've also made shots that weren't perfect either. I'm not afraid to admit it.

On deer probably 1.5 shots average maybe....Generally hunt more open country, not as worried about one running a bit.