Bolt Action Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 What's the consensus on shooting through brush? I don't mean super thick stuff that you can't see through let alone walk through. I'm referring to saplings, downed branches, etc that might be between you and the deer. Where I hunt, it's mostly open field with some thick woods and some open woods. I've been hesitant to shoot if there's anything in the line of sight between me and the deer. Am I being overly cautious? For example, in the pic below, I wouldn't take a shot where the deer is now based on what I anticipate the bullets trajectory to be. If it took a few steps forward (and if that horizontal branch wasn't in the way...), I'd be more inclined to take a shot.
Rusty Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 Absolutely not! I was a hunter ed instructor for 25 years and one of the things we emphasized was having a clear unobstructed view of the vitals. Lil zeek, NYRturkeycall, mowin and 4 others 1 6
GreeneHunter Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 Not for me .... Just wait for a Clear Shot ! Larry 1
IM Hooked Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 With a rifle neck shot Ncountry, Breaking Point, ChevyZr297 and 1 other 4
mowin Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 Brush like that, no way. I've shot through Golden rod before with the rifle, but I could easily see the deer through it. cervidchasers 1
CharlieNY Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 57 minutes ago, Rusty said: Absolutely not! I was a hunter ed instructor for 25 years and one of the things we emphasized was having a clear unobstructed view of the vitals. I was also a hunter education instructor for many years and I agree with Rusty. I would tell my students there are only 2 kinds of shots: 1. Good clear safe shot and 2. No shot. grampy, Rusty, Wolc123 and 1 other 3 1
Belo Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 brush? No. With a gun and maybe a twig, sure. flame suit on. mowin 1 Take the "Buy and plant stuff and then hunt private land" Challenge!
mowin Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 Just now, Belo said: brush? No. With a gun and maybe a twig, sure. flame suit on. With the rifle, A twig or two, and it's the only open shot I'll get, absolutely, especially if the deer is standing next to the twigs. Belo 1
grampy Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 1 hour ago, Rusty said: Absolutely not! I was a hunter ed instructor for 25 years and one of the things we emphasized was having a clear unobstructed view of the vitals. 3 minutes ago, CharlieNY said: I was also a hunter education instructor for many years and I agree with Rusty. I would tell my students there are only 2 kinds of shots: 1. Good clear safe shot and 2. No shot. As a hunter education instructor I agree 100% with both of you! As a long time Deersearch member, I can also add that the best shot is ALWAYS unobstructed. Just lay off the trigger until you have a clear shot! It doesn't take much with a high velocity bullet, to veer off course. Even if it hits a twig. Yes, it could just go through the twig into the intended target. But just as easily veer far off target. Just not worth taking the chance. Again............just wait for a clear shot! CharlieNY and Rusty 1 1
broomeguy Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 I wouldn't. Many years ago when we were limited to using shotguns, a young buck was walking through fairly open woods about 30 yards away. 1st shot, 1" sapling shot to smithereens. 2nd shot, another 1" sapling shot to smithereens. Buck escaped unscathed. I didn't see the saplings while looking in the scope. Can't imagine shooting through brush and hoping for the best.
IM Hooked Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 In that pic if that deer was close I could make that shot all day long. Maybe not the best shot for everyone. Some of the locals I used to hunt with would only take neck shots and they dropped them.
sbuff Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 I've taken that shot plenty of times in my younger age , now older and wiser I will wait grampy 1
Bolt Action Posted September 26, 2024 Author Posted September 26, 2024 Now that I'm thinking about this, I took a quick look for vids' on youtube. I read David E. Petzal's column in F&S for years and have come to respect his opinion. He put together this short video on the topic. grampy and Caeden4 1 1
Spaceman Spiff Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 Sometimes I “thread the needle” so to speak. I will never shoot directly into brush, tall grasses yes.
Phantom Posted September 26, 2024 Posted September 26, 2024 2 hours ago, Bolt Action said: What's the consensus on shooting through brush? I don't mean super thick stuff that you can't see through let alone walk through. I'm referring to saplings, downed branches, etc that might be between you and the deer. Where I hunt, it's mostly open field with some thick woods and some open woods. I've been hesitant to shoot if there's anything in the line of sight between me and the deer. Am I being overly cautious? For example, in the pic below, I wouldn't take a shot where the deer is now based on what I anticipate the bullets trajectory to be. If it took a few steps forward (and if that horizontal branch wasn't in the way...), I'd be more inclined to take a shot. I've tried shooting through stuff like that, and it didn’t work out kind of like trying to win the lottery. Getting through brush is tough. The only difference is that I had the high ground and was shooting down, where the trajectory would have the bullet going into the ground when I missed. I would never take a shot like that if I knew the bullet could travel far off into the distance.
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