The first responsibility of the hunter once an animal has been shot is to make sure that it is dead. The hunter must also stay with the animal, and can’t leave until they are certain that there’s no chance for the animal to escape. If a wounded animal escapes, this could have disastrous consequences, because it could find its way back into human settlements or cause other animals in the area to scatter and become nervous. Recently we answered what should every prepared hunter carry for outdoor emergencies and why do hunters pattern their shotguns.
Table of Contents
What is the hunter’s responsibility once an animal has been shot?
Trailing Wounded Game
After a successful shot, circle as quickly as possible to the animal’s right. If your quarry is down and it moves even slightly or falls into thick cover where you cannot see it, immediately begin trailing from its last known position.
As soon as you determine that the animal has been hit well enough to kill, continue moving forward at a brisk pace without rushing in an effort to reach your game before blood loss causes death.
The sooner you find your downed creature, the more likely there will be no further shots required on either of your parts. However, if the wounded animal runs off over rugged terrain or high fences after being initially struck by gunfire then tracking becomes necessary for the recovery of meat and pelt while limiting the damage caused by continued flight.
Once you have gained a good position on the trail of your game, listen for sounds that might indicate its location. The thrashing of the brush or muffled cries can often give away the animal’s last known whereabouts. Keep moving forward cautiously while constantly listening and looking ahead at all times to prevent surprising it with an approach from behind by accident.
If after several minutes of tracking there is still no sign of blood then take time to look around closely for upturned earth, vegetation crushed under pressure, broken branches, or other disturbances in order to get clues as to where your game ran off too before continuing pursuit. This will require extra caution due to the danger posed by becoming lost during extended trailing through unfamiliar terrain but it may be necessary if the animal still has enough strength to flee far.
Approach with Caution
If you are not able to find your game by trailing through the area it was last seen then use caution while making an approach on its location from downwind or up high in order to get a better view of where exactly it fell if possible. This should be done with extra care if there is any chance that additional shots were required afterward because chances are good other hunters may have come into the area already and will likely give away their presence if they’re near you due to overzealousness over finding fresh signs.
Tag immediately
The first job once reaching the wounded game is always checking for signs of life regardless of whether more shooting occurred after the initial hit. Sometimes animals run off so quickly upon being struck that they are either only wounded or do not realize it at all. This is especially likely if the animal was shot in the neck, head, or spine where bullets will often cause instant death without leaving a trace of blood on the scene behind them unless an artery was cut during penetration through flesh.
If signs indicate your game has gone down for good then tag its location and come back with help to recover it as soon as possible before scavengers can pick up its scent and steal away your prize when you’re not looking. Even if there seems to be no sign of life left in your quarry, take time after tagging its position to look closely around for evidence of breathing because this could mean that death occurred later than previously thought due to the animal slowing down or falling into a state of temporary paralysis.
If your game is breathing when you find it then make sure to keep an eye on its head at all times in case it wakes up suddenly while you are failing around with tagging and other preparations for moving it. Make sure that no wire, string, leash, cordage, rope, or any kind of restraint is anywhere near your quarry’s mouth either because this could result in serious injury if the animal thrashes about wildly before regaining full consciousness.
If there is still further shooting required after finding where your game has fallen then take care not to leave evidence behind by marking each new trail so others will know which way you went without guessing based on tracks, broken vegetation, or disturbed soil. This will prevent others from following your trail and perhaps taking away any right you might have to hunt in the future by angering locals who do not appreciate poaching of their territory.
FAQ
What do hunters do after their first kill?
Many hunters will state that there is a deep connection between the hunter and their prey. In this context, it means that they have great respect for their target’s life before taking it away from them.
This may mean many different things depending on what type of animal was shot but the first responsibility after shooting an animal includes ensuring its death has been as humane and ethical as possible to limit pain or suffering.
After making sure the kill itself is done humanely, other responsibilities include avoiding unnecessary waste by using all parts of the animal killed either for food or for supplies such as fur, bones, etc. If not used then oftentimes refuse should be disposed of in a way where it doesn’t harm wildlife since most hunting takes place outside in nature rather than hunting preserves.
Hunters also work to ensure that their kill is safe for both themselves and the environment by disposing of waste properly after hunting, avoiding unnecessary risks while out in nature, and cleaning up any accidental messes they may have made during or after shooting an animal. Once these responsibilities are met then many hunters will keep some parts of the animal as trophies which often include fur pelts, antlers/horns (if applicable), skulls, teeth (ivory), etc.
What is the first thing you should know to ensure successful recovery after an animal is shot?
Proper shot placement is a key element in animal recovery. The first responsibility of the hunter once an animal has been shot is to ensure that you have made a good kill and hit your target. If it’s not readily apparent, double-check for signs before moving on with your hunt as many times animals will play dead only to get up later after they feel safe again. This can cause injury or death if one tries to approach them at this point so be careful!
Who is responsible for the proper care and use of a harvested game animal?
Another responsibility of the hunter once an animal has been shot is to make sure that it belongs to them. If one has already tagged their game, they should immediately take notice and head back towards where they fired upon their target.
The process of identifying an animal can be completed by looking at the number on their tag or through physical features. If someone is unsure about whether or not they have tagged a game, it should always be better to err on the side of caution and make sure that you are within your legal rights to harvest said game.
How far can a deer go after being shot?
A deer can go anywhere from just a few feet away to several miles depending on where the hunter shoots it.
Can a deer survive a single lung shot?
A deer can survive a single lung shot. The chance of survival after being hit in the lungs is very low, but it does happen from time to time even when hunters are using high-powered rifles and following all safety protocols. In most cases, however, if you have taken a clean shot at its vital organs then there’s little chance that your prey will get away.
What do you do after shooting a deer?
- Don’t move the shot animal, but instead stay put. It is important to not stray from your shooting position so as not to lose sight of it and have a harder time tracking it down;
- Don’t track an animal that has been hit if you weren’t 100% sure about where the bullet went in or out;
- Staying put is important because the animal will often go on high alert and be harder to find after it has run off following being shot;
- If you do need to track an animal, make sure that there are people with you who can help;
- Keep your gun loaded but safe (safety on) in case another shot needs to be taken at a different angle or if the first round didn’t hit its mark properly;
- Stay close by until backup arrives – either from fellow hunters, family members, friends, etc. – before going any further into tracking down your prey;