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One shot kills are all very well, but if an animal can bite you, claw you, or dismember you,

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Or even just give you a spook!

I once shot a bull elk in the upper shoulder, lower neck. Critter dropped like a sack of rocks. Almost bounced when he hit the ground.

But when I approached him from behind, what was left of him that worked...rest of his neck and 6x5 horns flew up with a backward sweep and nearly hit me between the knees and hips. I jumped back and he kept swinging. Another one in the base of the head upper neck settled things.

That and a few other incidents prompted me to ask the question about finishers, as when a guy is dealing with a critter that outweighs the trailer houses lived in by most of the folks in my county, I'd think he'd want to iron things out but good.

I do understand the hesitancy of many to ruin meat in game the size of deer, etc, but this obviously is not an issue with any of the big 5, and I'd even include the cats there, since a guy doesn't eat them and any good seamstress can stitch the holes in the hide.

The one that leaves me in limbo is our small black bear. I've had reason to keep shooting them on several occaisions and substantial meat was ruined and maybe unnecessarily, but that was done to make sure no dogs were injured.

I have never given a hoot about "One-Shot Kills" and frankly do not understand those that make a thing of it. It's nice when it happens that way but to have any reason to believe an animal might have enough juice left to split the scene and not give it another is a mystery to me.

I do see the point about circumstances existing where another followup shot might not be able to be made for a bit of time. Have had that occur myself as when a critter drops from view in brush or timber yet still struggles, that not being seen till the animal is approached up close.

Thanks for the answers, fellows!

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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