AABEN
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Heck yes more than one time in my 73 years!!
anyone admit to making a terrible shot
- Thread starter Lloyd Smale
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40-82
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Shot at a turkey at about 125 yards out with a Colt Lightning 38CLMR. The turkey went down at the shot, and knowing that turkeys don't leave a blood trail, I rushed up and secured him, all well and good so far until I plucked him. I couldn't find a mark on him, and the only conclusion I could make was that I missed, but he saw it was me shooting, and he up and died from fright, being a too easily impressionable first year bird. That summer before the turkey season I noticed several times when I was out practicing that I would see a line of turkey heads looking at me from just over the roll of the hill. Being just poor dumb birds they only knew I practiced a lot and had no idea that I wasn't actually any good. Which brings me to my conclusion that reputation is much preferable to skill.
My conclusion entertained me and satisfied me, but for the one little problem that it didn't make any sense. Later that night after I had the turkey in the freezer, I took a good look at his neck and saw where my 40 caliber cast bullet had nicked it.
My conclusion entertained me and satisfied me, but for the one little problem that it didn't make any sense. Later that night after I had the turkey in the freezer, I took a good look at his neck and saw where my 40 caliber cast bullet had nicked it.
Arkansas Paul
Member
Yep, and if someone says they haven't, either they haven't taken many shots, or their nose is growing.
Elkins45
Member
I yanked a shot on a small buck with a muzzleloader. I knew it had pulled off but couldn't stop the trigger pull in time. I saw the impact and it was an obvious gut shot. Unbelievably, the deer walked about 40 yards and just stood there broadside. I was able to dump powder, pull the ramrod, seat a bullet and cap the rifle all the while that deer just stood in the trees. The second shot went where it was supposed to and ended it, but that shot has always bothered me.
BigN
Member
I shot 3 times at a nice buck at 75 yards with a 7 mag. He calmly looked around and walked away at his leisure. So did I...
I don't take neck shots anymore after stopping a doe with one.She just stood there with her head down.I took a second neck shot with no better result.I finally took a lung shot and she expired.The other thing I do is shoot at the range until the group tightens up.Then,I don't clean the barrel until after the hunt.This usually requires a total of 6 to 10 shots.
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klcmschlesinger
Member
I've misses.... a time or two, or three
I was hunting about 50 yards from a buddy near a creek with lots of tracks along the creek. I could see his orange if I looked behind me. I heard him shoot, so I waited and watched and then heard something running through the woods from him to me. It was a deer with one of his lower rear legs dangling, almost blown off. Yes it is true, he had almost shot the deer's leg off. The deer stopped about 15 yards right in front of me. As I giggled to myself at the terrible shot my buddy took, I raised my shotgun ( in illinois so no rifles ). Put the sight in the sweet spot, squeezed the trigger, BOOM!!!. The deer didn't move, I couldn't even see which way I had missed!! I pumped the old 870, the deer jumped and moved a little to my right, aimed, BOOM!!! Missed again and still couldn't even tell where I missed. This shot sent the deer running. Wow!!! I was having trouble making fun of my buddy because at least he hit the leg, I missed totally.
I was hunting about 50 yards from a buddy near a creek with lots of tracks along the creek. I could see his orange if I looked behind me. I heard him shoot, so I waited and watched and then heard something running through the woods from him to me. It was a deer with one of his lower rear legs dangling, almost blown off. Yes it is true, he had almost shot the deer's leg off. The deer stopped about 15 yards right in front of me. As I giggled to myself at the terrible shot my buddy took, I raised my shotgun ( in illinois so no rifles ). Put the sight in the sweet spot, squeezed the trigger, BOOM!!!. The deer didn't move, I couldn't even see which way I had missed!! I pumped the old 870, the deer jumped and moved a little to my right, aimed, BOOM!!! Missed again and still couldn't even tell where I missed. This shot sent the deer running. Wow!!! I was having trouble making fun of my buddy because at least he hit the leg, I missed totally.
Bumped my gun one night before a hunting trip. Shot at a deer maybe 10yards away, bullet went high left and hit a tree..... 
tho I am glad it missed rather then striking it in the top of the neck, shoulder. I just gave up deer hunting that year.
tho I am glad it missed rather then striking it in the top of the neck, shoulder. I just gave up deer hunting that year.
Captcurt
Member
Who? Me?
Guys, I could write a book about this. I am looking at the mount of a big 8 point right now that was the result of a terrible shot. The buck came into a scrape in thick brush. I could see legs, then watched his shoulder for 5 minutes. By the time his head came into view I was shaking like a beagle crapping peach seeds. He was quartering towards me. I put the crosshair on his shoulder and jerked the trigger. Four hours later and possibly a mile from the debacle we found him dead. I had hit him at the end of the rib cage with the bullet going thru the paunch and stopped under the hide on the ham. No exit. That was back in the 70's and I remember it like it was yesterday. If the thread goes for a couple more days I will tell you another one. Like I said, I can write book.
Guys, I could write a book about this. I am looking at the mount of a big 8 point right now that was the result of a terrible shot. The buck came into a scrape in thick brush. I could see legs, then watched his shoulder for 5 minutes. By the time his head came into view I was shaking like a beagle crapping peach seeds. He was quartering towards me. I put the crosshair on his shoulder and jerked the trigger. Four hours later and possibly a mile from the debacle we found him dead. I had hit him at the end of the rib cage with the bullet going thru the paunch and stopped under the hide on the ham. No exit. That was back in the 70's and I remember it like it was yesterday. If the thread goes for a couple more days I will tell you another one. Like I said, I can write book.
Oh yeah,I just remembered one from 55 years ago.I was 15 and doing one of my weekly chores,cleaning the chicken house.A friend was waiting for me to finish so we could ride our bikes somewhere.As I lifted the boards from the front of the roost droppings pit I saw a skunk in there.I backed out and told grand dad.He got his old Remington 12 guage pump 30 inch full choke and handed it to me.I went in and aimed as the skunk raised his tail.I shot and blew a hole through the wall above him as he sprayed.I ran out.Grand dad handed the gun to my buddy who tied a handkerchief over his nose and mouth.He went in and shot the skunk.I had to retrieve the skunk with a shovel.Grand dad said "you need to concentrate".Lesson learned.
der Teufel
Member
Uh, Can I Take the 5th ??
Nope !!
Well, I might have missed a shot or three here or there, but I'm not admitting to anything.
Nope !!
Well, I might have missed a shot or three here or there, but I'm not admitting to anything.
plumberroy
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2006
- Messages
- 795
My first year apprenticeship Instructor told us a plumber that says that he doesn't have leaks is one of 2 thing 1. lazy and doesn't do anything or 2. a d_ _n lier
Same thing applies to hunting even the best pull off on a shot. That being said I hate to waste game and have spent 1/2 an hour looking for a dove or squirrel
Same thing applies to hunting even the best pull off on a shot. That being said I hate to waste game and have spent 1/2 an hour looking for a dove or squirrel
Captcurt
Member
One more.
The muley was across the ravine headed for the top. I am guessing 400 yards just because of the bullet drop. My rifle was sighted in 3" high at 100 yards which would put me 12" low at 400. It was far enough that my partner couldn't see horns thru a 4X scope. I had a good rest and when he stopped broadside I had 3 or 4 inches of crosshair over the top of his back. The shot broke clean just as the buck started walking. He mule kicked ran a few jumps and stopped behind brush. I was waiting for him to step out when he fell and started rolling down the mountainside. He would hang up in the brush, kick hisself free and finally died 100 yard from where I shot him. The hill was so steep that I had to tie his rack to bush to field dress him. Then I had to quarter him and pack him to the top of the ridge because it was too steep for the mule. I swore that the next one would be shot in the middle of the road. I hit that buck thru the hips and took out the femoral artery.
The muley was across the ravine headed for the top. I am guessing 400 yards just because of the bullet drop. My rifle was sighted in 3" high at 100 yards which would put me 12" low at 400. It was far enough that my partner couldn't see horns thru a 4X scope. I had a good rest and when he stopped broadside I had 3 or 4 inches of crosshair over the top of his back. The shot broke clean just as the buck started walking. He mule kicked ran a few jumps and stopped behind brush. I was waiting for him to step out when he fell and started rolling down the mountainside. He would hang up in the brush, kick hisself free and finally died 100 yard from where I shot him. The hill was so steep that I had to tie his rack to bush to field dress him. Then I had to quarter him and pack him to the top of the ridge because it was too steep for the mule. I swore that the next one would be shot in the middle of the road. I hit that buck thru the hips and took out the femoral artery.
OptimusPrime
Member
16 yards away, and that doe was absolutely tearing through the trees at about 675 mph. I threw a slug at her, and then 5 more when I realized I missed. She may be running yet....
Scared the bejesus out of me, she did. I guess that's why I missed.
Scared the bejesus out of me, she did. I guess that's why I missed.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Well...
First time I went hunting with my .22 Magnum rifle many years ago, I took a squirrel with a gut shot using a hollowpoint.
All that was left attached to the tail were the two back legs.
It was head or neck shots from then one.
First time I went hunting with my .22 Magnum rifle many years ago, I took a squirrel with a gut shot using a hollowpoint.
All that was left attached to the tail were the two back legs.
It was head or neck shots from then one.
BigN
Member
retiredchief: that reminds me of something. I shot a squirrel once with a 22/250. He disappeared, except for the 2 little back feet still gripping the branch
WaywardSon
Member
I've had mostly good shots as I try to be careful, but if you hunt long enough there are going to be times when things don't go as planned. I've had a few of those occasions, but only one where I never figured out what happened & never saw the animal again.
And one funny one...about 35 yrs. ago I was walking in the woods with my wife & taking practice shots with a bow at various "targets". I was using field points and really just trying to improve my range estimating skills. Long story short, a suicidal squirrel presents itself at about 20 yds. on the ground. I settle the pin on his head & let fly...the arrow hits the squirrel in the neck and stays in him as he starts to thrash around & try to run away, all the while making this terrible squalling noise. Sweet wife pitches in on the squirrel's behalf..."poor squirrel...you big meanie"
Being in the presence of my wife and having no good options, I start chasing him through the brush. Thankfully the arrow hangs up on a bush and I am able to catch him and pin him down using the arrow. Now what? Wife is turning up the heat at this point. The arrow had managed to pass between the skin on the back of his neck and the spine, doing no real damage. I manage to work the arrow most of the way out and then use it to give the squirrel a pretty good fling. He lands about 50' away and scampers off, cussing me with every step. So was the wife
And one funny one...about 35 yrs. ago I was walking in the woods with my wife & taking practice shots with a bow at various "targets". I was using field points and really just trying to improve my range estimating skills. Long story short, a suicidal squirrel presents itself at about 20 yds. on the ground. I settle the pin on his head & let fly...the arrow hits the squirrel in the neck and stays in him as he starts to thrash around & try to run away, all the while making this terrible squalling noise. Sweet wife pitches in on the squirrel's behalf..."poor squirrel...you big meanie"
Being in the presence of my wife and having no good options, I start chasing him through the brush. Thankfully the arrow hangs up on a bush and I am able to catch him and pin him down using the arrow. Now what? Wife is turning up the heat at this point. The arrow had managed to pass between the skin on the back of his neck and the spine, doing no real damage. I manage to work the arrow most of the way out and then use it to give the squirrel a pretty good fling. He lands about 50' away and scampers off, cussing me with every step. So was the wifeSimplyChad
Member
Put the cross hairs one the heart of a doe at about 100 yards. Did a slow breathe and had a rest. Everything was perfect pull the trigger. No thwack deer jumps takes off and is gone. Went to where it was no blood trail and a pile of scat. Check my zero afterwards and put the rest of the mag into a 5 in plate at 100. I still cant figure that out.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
retiredchief: that reminds me of something. I shot a squirrel once with a 22/250. He disappeared, except for the 2 little back feet still gripping the branch
Now THAT'S a bad shot!
ZeroJunk
Member
I completely missed a nice ten point buck at less than thirty yards with a 280. I could come up with some bull about why, but I really don't know.
Luckily he ran sixty yards or so and stopped where I made a good shot.
Luckily he ran sixty yards or so and stopped where I made a good shot.
flipajig
Member
If you hunt long enough it will probably happen. Anything and every thing can go wrong just remember Murphy's Law.
I've been there and hope and pray I never have to again. So like all of us I strive to cover all the variables from choosing the bullet/braudhead my arrow or powder. And pratice pratice and when I think I'm there I pratice some more.
Flip
I've been there and hope and pray I never have to again. So like all of us I strive to cover all the variables from choosing the bullet/braudhead my arrow or powder. And pratice pratice and when I think I'm there I pratice some more.
Flip
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Yes, indeed, Murphy is a right b*stard at times. I was just thinking the other day about a cousin of mine, same age as myself. Back when we were young teens, he and a cousin of his (on his mother's side...no relation to me) were out hunting with .22's in a field somewhere. His cousin stood up in front of him just as he squeezed off a shot.
Right in the back of his cousin's head. Killed him instantly.
Some will argue, and quite rightfully, that Murphy has no place in such incidents. Perhaps so, but tragic nonetheless.
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