What is considered a humane kill shot ?

[Goosesniper]

I've watched videos where one shot has dropped game. This is obviously the shot everyone wants to make. In other videos I've watched either big game or yotes and the animals did not drop on one shot. In some, the coyote spins for a period of time and you can hear awful noises. In others, I see deer walk 50 yards and fall. I'm sure some skeptics would say any shot is inhumane. What shot would be considered inhumane? In your opinion.

[HuntCamp'r]

This is a question that can pit hunters against each other.... Can't be measured in seconds or yards or location or organ etc, etc. I will er on the side of caution and say if you find your animal and it is not wasted, it was "humane"...

[GW11]

The idea that animals drop on the spot with a well-placed shot is a misconception. I've shot plenty of deer through the heart and lungs, perfectly humane kill shots, that have run at least 100 yards. You can hit a moose again and again in the boiler room before he realizes that he's walking dead and falls over. Animals that drop on the spot are sometimes spine or high-shoulder hits that might look better to someone watching but may actually result in the animal taking longer to expire.

The flopping, kicking, etc., that happen afterward are just part of what happens. Think of a chicken with it's head cut off.

[Goosesniper]

Hc. Yeah I'm not trying to cause grief between each other. Just want to get some thoughts. Please don't fight.

[Goosesniper]

Gw. Good points.

[twostroke]

Agree with this post...............but will also add to I personally would dub a "humane" as a shot in which placement was attempted at a vital area to achieve a faster death. Its defenetely a difficult question to answer as we have all taken what we believed to be ethical and humane kill shots and had something happen to which you have missed that core area just slightly. No hunter likes to see an animal suffer so I would hope that any shot taken by a hunter should be a humane one, but less face it things happen!!!!

This is a question that can pit hunters against each other.... Can't be measured in seconds or yards or location or organ etc, etc. I will er on the side of caution and say if you find your animal and it is not wasted, it was "humane"...

[trimmer21]

The idea that animals drop on the spot with a well-placed shot is a misconception. I've shot plenty of deer through the heart and lungs, perfectly humane kill shots, that have run at least 100 yards. You can hit a moose again and again in the boiler room before he realizes that he's walking dead and falls over. Animals that drop on the spot are sometimes spine or high-shoulder hits that might look better to someone watching but may actually result in the animal taking longer to expire.

The flopping, kicking, etc., that happen afterward are just part of what happens. Think of a chicken with it's head cut off.

X2. After all my years hunting,I can count on one hand the number of one-shot kills. To me,as long as you do everything possible to ensure the animal is dispatched quickly,then,we've completed a "clean kill".

[welsh]

If the shot was within your capability and you intended to kill the animal cleanly, then that's all you can control.

[terrym]

You need to realize that those "lightning bolt" shots aren't normal. First of all they are usually done for the camera and not in respect of the game. What most of those shots are is shots to the spine or shoulders. Quite often with more rifle than needed like .300 mags for example with light bullets. Sure the deer just crushes on the spot but what they don't show is what the carcass looks like when you skin it. Shots like that look great on camera but many times turn the meat into bloodshot jello. People watch too many hunting shows.

[TurkeyRookie]

Agree with Welsh.

Also,

The humane shot starts before you even pull the trigger on an animal. You've taken the time to ensure that you can shoot with some accuracy and consistency, that the optics, or sights you choose are adjusted properly, and that you aren't just heading out and spraying lead everywhere hoping to connect.

You know where the vitals are and the area you should be placing your shot on the game you are hunting.