Originally Posted By: coleridgeLot of people get wrapped up in "energy" thing. How about the energy a compound bow produces??? Do a little research & you will be surprised & we all know how many deer are killed with a sting each year. Should we start a thread about how unethical it is too bow hunt? I mean... they always run off with a bow right? We shouldn't dream of bow hunting & trying to cause such a grotesque murder. Stop the madness!
Actually they run off less, and if they do they don't make it as far. The stealth of a bowhunter puts less adrenaline in a dead-on-its-feet deer, and that makes for a deer that doesn't run as far and it also makes better table fare. Less hormones in the muscles (meat) means a better tasting animal, and less adrenaline means the animal is going to drop faster. Last deer I shot was 23yds away, shooting a compound with spitfires @62lbs. Heavy quartering away, he jumped at the arrow hitting the ground on the other side after a complete pass through. Looked around, confused about the sound, for about 15 seconds. Wobbled off about 30yds and was done for. Sure, a .338 Lapua through the shoulder would've put him down on the spot, but a .223 with a good shot and the perfect bullet would too. Place your priorities on bullet and practice.