Run to bird after the shot?

[mcw3734]

When I first started turkey hunting in the late 80's, i remember being taught to (safely) hustle over to the bird after the shot and make sure it's done. That meant stepping on its head or giving it a twist. I took a couple decade hiatus from turkey hunting and now that I'm watching videos, I never see anybody doing that. Maybe occasionally if somebody took a long shot.

Was anybody else taught that? Does anybody still instinctively do it? I do. Or maybe because of this era of tight chokes, red dots and TSS, a shot bird is pretty much anchored?

[TJR]

9 out of 10 I run to. Old habits.


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[Hobbes]

I used to charge after them, but decided long ago that running with a shotgun wasn't wise.  Also, the shotgun is more than capable of making a second shot if necessary.

[guesswho]

I'm not near as fast a the shot coming out of the barrel, so I take my time.

[bbcoach]

I let them do their flopping with another round in the chamber.  Hevi 13 7's are the ticket.  No running or foot on the neck for me.

[THattaway]

Ran to birds back in the lead days. Had to sometimes. Since hevi shot and tss I watch the broke neck shuffle then walk out.

[Greg Massey]

To old to RUN, i just walk over to them with these new TSS, it pretty much dresses the bird for you after the SHOT. I sure don't want to fall and mess up my turkey season with dislocated hip, broke leg or sprain ankle. I'd rather live to hunt another day safety. 

[RutnNStrutn]

I've seen it on hunting shows, but personally I've never done it.

Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.

[owlhoot]

Ran to birds back in the lead days. Had to sometimes. Since hevi shot and tss I watch the broke neck shuffle then walk out.

This right here.
Purty silly to run like crazy with a loaded shotgun through the woods. I've ran to a turkey to get my foot as his neck as quick as possible years ago. Shot a pump so never shucked a round in. Haven't done it years now. 

[Dtrkyman]

I just sit against the tree and smile!  I will stand up quickly if they drop out of sight but I can shoot faster than I can run if one got up.  Has not happened to me.

A friend of mine lost a bird years ago, he rolled it in a field and was trotting to it, it got up and ran off, he chased it and It wound up going over a rise and he never saw it again, he stopped and looked at his gun and was like DUH!

[fmf]

Usually no, but it depends on the shot and how much i can see the bird. If he immediately drops out of sight, or if i shot him next to a tree and he flops behind it, things like that I will try to get to him pretty quick. Otherwise I generally just sit there and enjoy the moment and give thanks before I go check him out.

[Tom007]

Sit and enjoy the moment. If he's flopping, I am ready to drop the hammer if he starts to seriously retreat....

[ol bob]

Never have never will.

[RiverRoost]

A shotgun propped up on the knee offers a much steadier and more accurate follow up shot if needed than free handing one coming to a quick halt from running.

[MK M GOBL]

Seen it in those old videos I watched did it too, not anymore though, I kill them close with some lead and they're dead! No need for any of this tss stuff...