Dispatching Wounded Animals

[jthrelf]

I had a situation squirrel hunting yesterday where the animal did not die immediately after being shot. I had to finish him off with my knife and that wasn't instantaneous either. Like all ethical hunters I want the quickest and cleanest kill possible, but things won't necessarily always go that way. I still feel terrible about it and want to figure out a corrective practice.

To dispatch a wounded animal I assume you'd have to use something otherwise legal as an arm for hunting that animal. So that could mean a centerfire revolver at close range to the head for a deer, or a rimfire revolver for small game. But the special regulation areas do not include any handguns for legal hunting.

It just seems like ethics don't line up with the game laws in this situation.

Who carries a revolver for this purpose? What does everyone do in the situation of a wounded animal? Any comment for special regulation areas specifically?

Thanks.

[Marcus99]

Just shoot it again with whatever rifle or shotgun you're carrying, generally in the head. Sometimes with birds and stuff I'll just step on their head.

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

Stomp its head ! Quick and humane !

[jthrelf]

Just shoot it again with whatever rifle or shotgun you're carrying, generally in the head. Sometimes with birds and stuff I'll just step on their head.

Ok that makes sense for a deer. At the time yesterday I didn't want to blast a squirrel point blank with a 12 gauge.

Stomp its head ! Quick and humane !

In retrospect I should have done this. I will know now for next time. Thanks

[Qtrborecrazy]

With wounded birds we just wring their necks. Tree rats would get another 22 to the head. Get yourself a 410 for the squirrels.

[streaker69]

Did you try hitting it?

[danhr]

Did you try shooting better?

[Knightshift]

Put it back in the tree and start over

[mosseater]

I don't mess with tree rats. Emmer some nasty critters. If 22, another in the ear. otherwise, big stick, rock, foot. I ain't putting my hand near it.

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

I don't mess with tree rats. Emmer some nasty critters. If 22, another in the ear. otherwise, big stick, rock, foot. I ain't putting my hand near it.

Danger of shooting a treee rat on the ground is if you hit a rock underneath it can and will richoet mayber right into your leg ! Like i said STOMP ITS HEAD !