Deer Reaction to shot. Input Please

[TimeOnTarget]

Tonight i decided i would shoot a doe if the shot presented itself. Long story short, I had a nice doe come out, ranged her @ 494yds. Dialed in the range/wind and squeezed. She gave a big mule kick and ran up to the top of the hill where 2 more deer joined her. They all just stood there for a moment then trotted off. I watched them go over 1/2 mile all still seeming to be fine. (she was the last one in line as they ran though)

Looked for roughly 1hr till dark for blood to no avail.

Anyone ever had a deer mule kick like this and equal a miss? If it hadnt been for the mule kick i would have certainly thought a miss by the way she trotted off. My experiences have been that a kick like this equals the boiler room.



Thanks for the input!

FYI: 500yds has been my self imposed live target limit but am fairly confident at that range. Took 2 Doe one right after the other with this rifle a week ago @ 420yd and both shots were right on the money.

[AJ Peacock]

Interestingly, I was watching a hunting show on the TV today. There was a Buck and a Doe, with the buck standing about 10yds past the doe. The doe was in a bit of a low spot as well.

At the shot (which was right on target), the buck ducked and bolted (dead on his feet). The Doe jumped straight up and bucked once, kicked and ran off. I think she was startled by the concussion over her back.

If she didn't hump up (curve her back upward), you probably didn't hit her, just scared her. In my experience, If they jump, kick and 'hump up', then they've been hit.

Hope this helps,
AJ

[EastHunter]

From my experience you might have zip her low and back. On a good hit they go strait foward, that the one have shot have act like. Only one have jump somethimg like 4 feet high before bolting.(the deer was only 50 feet..)

In case of a mist at long range(even at closer range) they lift their head up to see where the "weird" sond came from.. Often leving you time to go for a second round.

That what happen in my case. Some might have other experience.

[dodgefreak8]

Just had this happen to a friend this year. 230 yards with a 7mm I was watching with binoculars. I saw the deers hide ripple from the hit but couldn't see exactly where the shot hit. the deer mule kicked with both back legs and the darted down the hill stumbling the entire way. Well we decided to let it lay for a while and then herd another shot. We tracked the deer by footprints only because there was absolutely no blood. When we got to the end of the trail we found another hunter gutting our buck. When we asked him if there was another bullet hole in it he said no but when I looked I found an entry wound right in the gut. No exit. Deer mule kick when gut shot.

[bamadawg2009]

Different deer react different ways I've shot deer through both lungs and blew up the heart that ran like they where never hit, then Ive had deer stumble all over themselves trying to get away and never cut a hair on them. The best way to tell is did she have her tail tucked up under her or was she waving the whiter flag? I shot a 10 pt this past Saturday that was trying to touch his chin up under him when he ran off with a busted heart, and both lungs and a broken left leg. If she was flying her tail up she probably was never hit.

[Rimfire]

Did you hear it hit ? Yes they will jump / kick at times when not hit. I just shot one and the pass through dirted next to a doe and sent her straight up in the air. What are you shooting?

All the shots I can think of that dont bleed much dont cause this reaction, gut , high no mans land between spine and lungs etc.

Good example of the need for a good spotter to call shots as they get longer

[Buffalobob]

If the sonic crack of the bullet passing over them is close they react to it differently depending on how close.