Orderly conduct
Patrick Hook talks about best practice in the field, with especial regard to clean kills
This month I’m going to examine a subject that’s usually swept under the carpet – that of accidentally wounding animals while shooting. Few people want to discuss the matter openly but, nevertheless, it still needs addressing. A vast majority of the antishooting brigade consider that we are all bloodthirsty killers with no mind to the welfare of the things we hunt. The reality is that this is so wide of the mark that if it wasn’t such an important issue the misconception could simply be ignored as the ramblings of the deluded.
Paramount
For those of us who target foxes, the primary concern should be to implement the tenets of best practice. In other words, doing everything we can to ensure we get a clean kill. Anyone who claims never to miss is either kidding themselves or hasn’t shot much. Even with the best preparation and care it still happens – the quarry moves at the last moment, an unexpected gust of wind shifts the point of impact, or an unseen twig deflects the bullet. The result can be either a clean miss – which, while frustrating, is OK – or a wounded animal, which is not.
“I have yet to shoot with anyone who would willingly leave an injured animal out in the field”
When this happens it’s our job as responsible shooters to do everything possible to minimise any suffering and administer a coup de grâce as soon as possible.
The quickest way to do this is to put a second shot into the animal. Circumstances sometimes make this impossible, however, such as when it falls into a rut or a flock of sheep moves into your line of sight. It is deeply upsetting to see an animal run off, especially when you know that you hit it well. Fortunately, this is usually just the result of an adrenaline rush and they’re dead by the time you reach them. I can honestly say that