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Author Topic: My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in the neck/no deer.  (Read 1341 times)

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Offline Mohawk

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in the neck/no deer.
« on: December 06, 2004, 10:38:01 AM »
Went to help my neighbor try to find a deer yesterday. He put two .357 158gr. JHP bullets in the neck and we could not find the deer. My only guess is both bullets missed the neckbone and the arteries, because no blood was found either and the deer ran. But the deer did flinch badly at each shot so he's sure it was hit. Anyone else lost a deer with a neck shot? Any advice I could give him? No experience here with handgun neck shots.
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Offline Graybeard

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2004, 10:58:47 AM »
Neck shots really are a lousy choice. Unless you KNOW not suspect but KNOW precisely where the spine is all along the neck and unless you can place the bullet with great precision in the right place there is a great liklihood of loosing the deer to die a slow and painful death. Rounds such as the .357 Mag are a horrible choice. Something that does massive damage and tissue distruction isn't such a bad choice as it gives you a bit more room for error. I just will not shoot game in the neck if it's not already wounded.
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Offline Mohawk

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2004, 11:31:04 AM »
I asked him why he didn't shoot it in the lungs. He said he didn't want to track it since it was so late. I've only shot deer in the neck on a few occasions, and that was with a high-powered rifle. But I was out and about so I thought I would help him look.
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Offline erickrschaefer

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« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2004, 12:24:47 PM »
Tell him not to shoot anymore deer in the neck! The spine is an extremely small target. Shoot for the biggest vital target which is the lung and heart area. Not to knock anyone but if you aren't prepared to track one don't shoot one.
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Offline rickyp

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2004, 12:28:35 PM »
sounds like you need to educate your neighbor about proper hunting handguns and shot placement.
The 357 mag is marginal at best on deer. I am not saying that i will not bring down a deer but it leaves very little room for error
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Offline Mohawk

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2004, 12:58:22 PM »
I 100% agree. I never really talk to this guy very much. Don't know what his hunting experience is. He lives where he hunts so I imagine he has hunted for most of his life, being a rancher and all. Just thought I would share what happened.
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Offline Jerry Lester

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2004, 01:04:37 PM »
The only time I'll even think about taking a neck shot is when a deer is facing me head on. Neck shots are a lot less iffy at that angle. Even then, I try to hit as close to the top of the neck as possible. Neck shots are a bad choice, and I'll only take one under pefect conditions, as a purely last resort.

Yet another chance to bash my beloved 357 magnum! LOL
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Offline Redhawk1

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2004, 01:05:09 PM »
It just go's to show that there are hunters and those that buy hunting licenses and carry guns.  :D
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Offline wild willy

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2004, 01:32:24 PM »
Wish I had a dollar for every time I heard of some moron trying to shoot a deer in the neck and not getting it I could buy another gun
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Offline jhalcott

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2004, 02:14:08 PM »
most people do NOT realize how much muscle is in a deers neck. If that deer has been exercising all fall, he's built up lots of muscle.Lots of hunters wont even try to cook neck meat. Take a longer shot at such a neck and you will not see much blood and less reaction to the hit.
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Offline z1

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2004, 02:23:06 PM »
Took a dude at work hunting a few weeks ago and put him in my Pa's stand.  This stand is known for having a decent amount of deer traffic.    
   
Around mid morning I heard him shoot.  After a while I went over there to see what was up.  He was walking all over the property looking for the deer he shot in the neck.  No blood, no hair, no nothing.    
   
He was determined that he had hit the deer with his 30-06 because he could not see where his bullet had struck the ground if he had missed.  The argument that a 150 gr 30 cal bullet would have done significant damage on that doe carried little water.   And on a Georgia whitetail the neck shot would not have stoped the bullet anyway.  
   
Later in the morning he had another chance and bagged a decent doe with a classic chest shot.    
   
Guess we all have to learn.
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Offline Van/TX

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« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2004, 03:45:22 PM »
Worst shot you can intentionally make is the neck.  I cringe every time I hear someone say that they took a neck shot.  Heck there was even a guy on TV bowhunting the other nite on OLN who purposely took a neck shot. Next morning the deer was still alive until they put it out of it's misery.

 It's simply a  lack of experience to take a neck shot .  I can say that because I've done it.  I ain't always been smart  :lol:  :lol:  He'll know next time hopefully :) .....Van
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Offline hardertr

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2004, 04:06:05 PM »
"A lack of experience" only goes so far!  This guy is just plain LAZY!!

I've had deer within 50 yards of me just before the end of legal shooting hours.  I didn't want to track or gut them in the dark either...SO I LET THEM GO.

Guys like this deserve to find their truck with 4 slashed tires and have to walk 10 miles out of the woods in the dark to the nearest payphone.
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Offline Hooker

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2004, 08:30:54 PM »
I've killed 6 deer with neck shots but like Jerry Lester said only when the deer was facing me. But with a handgun I would not try it. Always go for the boiler room. This guy needs some pointers he may not realize the handicap of his chosen weapon, or he may need to practice his shooting skills. The 357 is a great deer round if use within it's effective range. But then I guess that applies to all cartridges.

Pat
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Offline WD45

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #14 on: December 07, 2004, 01:02:21 AM »
I know a guy that swears by neck shots..... then swears he hit them ..... then swears his sights must be off or somethings wrong with the gun.....

Then he just swears..... :roll:

Didn't someone already say no neck shots
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Offline Questor

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #15 on: December 07, 2004, 04:14:26 AM »
You would think that after a history of at least 3.5 million years as hunters that we hominids would have learned what works and what doesn't.   We also have a technology at least 6 thousand years old called reading and we use it to pass down knowledge.  Apparently some of us are still catching up with all of these abrupt changes so we kinda need to nurse them along.  :wink:  :wink:  :wink:
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Offline WD45

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« Reply #16 on: December 08, 2004, 01:45:37 AM »
There you go thinking again... :)
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Offline Alabama26

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #17 on: December 08, 2004, 12:55:27 PM »
The neck shot and the .357 have a lot in common, neither are for the uninformed or the inexperienced (being both, I don't use either :) ). The right person and/or the right conditions can make it work. I don't think it's worth the risk.
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Offline coldmold

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #18 on: December 08, 2004, 02:28:02 PM »
tHERe used to be a guy where I work that swore by the neck shot. Didnt mess up to much meat according to him. He never came back with much messed up meat. Course he never came back with much meat period.  coldmold
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Offline S.B.

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #19 on: December 08, 2004, 06:01:46 PM »
Quote from: erickrschaefer
Tell him not to shoot anymore deer in the neck! The spine is an extremely small target. Shoot for the biggest vital target which is the lung and heart area. Not to knock anyone but if you aren't prepared to track one don't shoot one.


I think first I'd tell him to read Clint Smith's article in American Handgunner about calibers and Texas whitetails. The .357 did kill the deer but no where near as cleanly or quickly as the .44 magnum. I dought I'd use a .357 for deer? I'm no expert with hundreds of kills with a .44 but, the ones I've shot didn't go far at all. This is one instance where bigger is better! Use the right equipment and success is a lot easier. The neck also has a very good roast in it.
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Offline Hooker

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #20 on: December 09, 2004, 09:36:21 AM »
Quote from: Alabama26
The neck shot and the .357 have a lot in common, neither are for the uninformed or the inexperienced (being both, I don't use either :) ). The right person and/or the right conditions can make it work. I don't think it's worth the risk.


Alabama26 this is true. But again it's not rocket science.
You practice your shooting skills and avoid marginal shots.
With the right bullets the 357 will take the average whitetail out to about 90 yards. If you put the bullet where it belongs.
Alot of guys don't want to put out the effort it takes to be proficient with a lesser calibre. So they choose one that allows them more margin for error.
Thats not jab at anyone  that shows they are thinking.
Then there the deer and again alot of guys don't take the time to learn the anatomy of this animal. These suckers are tough and it requires some thought as to where to hit them given the range and position of the animal.
I learned alot of my deer hunting skills from of all people a old Jacklighter.
His favorite shot was the head shot 2nd  a spine hit in the shoulder area. He said a Jacklighter can't afford to be chasing wounded deer all over the place. He fed his family with his skill and knowledge using an old S&W pistol in 32HR mag. Before anyone comes down on me for taking advice from the old outlaw, Let me tell you I'd have been a fool not to. That feller killed more deer than any ten men I've ever known. And that acounts for alot of experience that I wasn't going to waste.

Pat
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Offline Alabama26

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #21 on: December 09, 2004, 03:05:46 PM »
"But again it's not rocket science. "
Pat,
You are absolutely right. :agree:  When I was shooting 3 to 5,000 rounds of 38 & 357 a year, I would have felt alot better about using a 357. But that sweet shooting S&W 586 is long gone and I've got a ho-hum shooting S&W 28. In the old days with a stout charge of H110 behind seirra 170JHC I would not of felt naked taking a shot at 50yds. Today with a ho-hum shooting me, I'd feel O.K. to 30 yds. The thing is, I don't believe in taking chances, not in the hunting field and when in doubt I don't shoot. If I'm not steady, I don't shoot. If I'm not comfortable with the angle, I don't shoot. If the animal is moving too fast, I don't shoot. I'm not afraid of going home empty handed :-) It wouldn't be the first time.

If I'm going to hunt deer with a handgun, It will be a 357. Just add alittle more powder. 20+ grains imr4227 behind a remington 180JHP. I love my 357 max 10" T/C and with a scope it will group under 3" at 100 yrds. Heck, I've even got 20 rounds loaded up. I'll be there Saturday.
Mike
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Offline Dave in WV

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #22 on: December 09, 2004, 03:20:31 PM »
Go back and read the original post. The neighbor missed BOTH times. You hit a deer once and it's not staying where it is IF it can run. The report from a handgun is so quick many times game doesn't know where the shot came from. I'd flinch too if shot at.
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Offline Lone Star

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My neighbor's handgun hunting woes--Two in
« Reply #23 on: December 11, 2004, 06:31:43 PM »
Quote
Worst shot you can intentionally make is the neck...
Van, as a Texan you know better than that.  The WORST shot you can make is a sound shot.  For those who don't know what this is, you don't want to know!
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Offline Van/TX

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« Reply #24 on: December 13, 2004, 02:31:47 PM »
Lone Star, I know what you mean.  Don't bother me much though unless they be shooting 00 buckshot :wink: .....Van
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