coup de grâce

[land cruiser]

Them birds are tough and often not out completely after the first shot. What's your preferred method for dispatching a wounded bird? With all that thrashing around, I am always worried of ruining more meat, hence the question.

(Aim better is a good option, alas not always relevant)

[guesswho]

A foot on the neck is usually all I do, even that probably isn't necessary.  But I saw a guy on tv do it and figured that's the way it should be done.

[captin_hook]

Yepper, boot held on the head or neck usually gets it done.

[tomstopper]

Yepper, boot held on the head or neck usually gets it done.

When I was younger I had a neighbor who was turkey hunting and shot a nice gobbler and thought that it was going to get up and run so he grabbed it by the legs. Not a good idea. he not only got slapped by the wings, but also took a spur right through the webbing (skin) between his thumb and first finger. Painful..... Foot to neck always works for me.

[Turkey Beard]

I tuck the wings into the body and kneel on the bird itself. Figure that it can't breathe that way (if it's still alive) and it also protects the feathers in case of taxidermy work.

[ccleroy]

Grab em' by the legs and enjoy the ride.

[land cruiser]

Thanks Gents! Hoping to try the foot to neck method in few weeks when season opens.

[dirt road ninja]

Grab em' by the legs and enjoy the ride.

A instructional video of this would be great.

[dirt road ninja]

If they just flopping, I let'm flop. If they trying to get on their feet with their head up I keep shoot'n.

[o2stk1]

let em flop

[FullChoke]

If I have a bird that is still flopping with his head staying on the ground by the time I get over to him, I get him onto his belly with his feet under him, tuck his wings on his sides and hold him still as he expires. I do not personally believe in handling the last moments of this extraordinary game animal with such callous disregard as stomping a boot on his head. However, if that kind of thing trips your trigger, Conan, have at it.

Have you ever seen anyone run up and stomp on the head of a deer that lays dying? Yea, me neither.

FullChoke

[guesswho]

Have you ever seen anyone run up and stomp on the head of a deer that lays dying? Yea, me neither.

FullChoke

Can't say that I've seen anyone get a deer onto his belly with his feet under him, and hold him still as he expires either. 

[drenalinld]

Standing on his neck to cut off air supply ends it the quickest which in my mind is most honorable.

[land cruiser]

Well it worked for me few weeks ago when I guided for the first time. The bird I got today needed no such thing. It expired before I walked up to it.

[guesswho]

Good job land cruiser, congrats