Shooting tines off a deer?

idletime · #1 10-30-2009, 01:12 PM

I heard this question the other day, and it has me wondering... Can you shoot the tines off a deer without injuring the deer?

The person posing the question was thinking of shooting a few tines off a deer to hopefully prevent others from shooting it. In this instance, the deer is really young, but with amazing antlers. He has zero faith in his neighbors passing on the deer to let him age. He is not against his neighbor taking nice deer. He would just like to see this one age and reach his full potential before someone takes him.

I personally would be too worried about injuring the deer.

Thoughts?

diggler · #2 10-30-2009, 01:21 PM

Won't hurt him (unless he shoots low!). Someone posted a cool video on here before of two bucks locked up. A guy walked up to them with a rifle and shot the main beam off of one. Both deer ran away fine.

pg542 · #3 10-30-2009, 01:36 PM

I hunted on a lease outside of Freer about 8 or 9yrs ago. The lease boss who had a BS factor of about 9.5 said they used to do the same thing when he was younger. He said he did it one day on a nice youngster and the deer hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. He said "no big deal, just stunned him". He came back that way 3 hrs later and that stunned deer was dead where he fell. When he told us that story, I didn't notice any trace of his usual BS factor, and really acted embarassed to tell us. I don't think he was BS'ing. I've heard a few times about hunters doin this, but never heard about it killing the deer....just some thoughts,,,,Jim

Main Frame 8 · #4 10-30-2009, 01:42 PM

I have never even had this thought cross my mind. I don't think I would ever consider it.

Pablo · #5 10-30-2009, 01:44 PM

You would have to be one heckuva shot.

Reel_Blessed II · #6 10-30-2009, 01:50 PM

Shoot it with a tranquilizer and then spray paint the tines a camo color. They won't be able to make out the horns and think it's a doe

TxDuSlayer · #7 10-30-2009, 02:22 PM

Most hunters would not be able to do this with, now if you were a schooled scout sniper maybe. Your talking about trying too hit something the size of a pencil at 100yds give or take!

Bukkskin · #8 10-30-2009, 02:39 PM

Idletime, I have done this for years in Mexico. I sight my 22-250 dead on at 40 yards. I wont try it any further out either. Sometimes if will go thru the horn or take out one side of the main beam without knocking off the antler. That's OK the first fight he gets into the antler will probably brake off. I aim for the mainbeam just below where to G-2 comes off. I have never injuried a deer doing this. However, My friend tried it with his 7 mag and hit below the brow tine. The deer just ran over and tore up a bush, angrylike. The next time I saw that deer his eye and ear were in bad shape and I doubt he made to the next years. I would say the coyotes got him. So , If you gonna do it be careful. Good luck. By the way, I won't take a kill shot on a trophy deer over 200 yards with my 300 mag.