In this article, I will discuss the importance of the follow-up shot. This is another subject this is often overlooked by a number of hunters, especially Americans, during the preparation for an European safari. Far too many hunters have gotten caught “admiring their shot” and have ended up with a lost animal. Preparing for, and taking, a good follow-up shot can help prevent this problem from happening.
This was a lesson I learned the hard way with probably one of my biggest red stag trophy, many years ago. I still remember like it was yesterday. Ar the end of the rutting season for red stag, I had a cancellation from 2 hunters, in one of my best area for big, big red stags. Obviously, I could’t find new hunters in such short notice so, I decided to take the 2 stags myself. In the first morning of my hunt I called a huge stag, he show up around 180-200 meters on a road in front of me between 2 thick forests. The crown was one of the biggest I ever saw, I estimate that was at least 12 kg. His position was not good, he was facing at me, but I took the shot. The stag drop in the fire. I considered a second shot was unnecessary since I felt certain my first shot had been a good one. I was still enjoying the adrenaline, when the stag stand up and run into the forest. SLOWLY! If the rifle was reloaded and I was focused on the animal, I could have plenty of time for a second shot. We found a few drops of blood indicating that I had indeed hit the stag, then proceeded to track him for several miles until we finally lost him.
That was a lesson that I learned very painfully. And I am an outfitter. Id did a beginner mistake.
When discussing the importance of a follow-up shot, it’s imperative to recognize some of the differences between hunting back home versus guided trophy hunt in Romania. A lot of hunters are hesitant to take a follow-up shot because “it destroys more meat.” This is a true statement, but an additional shot will destroy a couple of extra pounds of meat at most. However, this is a much better alternative than potentially losing all of the meat on the animal by never finding it. Not to mention the trophy you are coming for…
In addition, for many hunters from Europe, the majority of their hunts are for the roe deer; a species that rarely needs more than one shot to put down. Due to this, there is a common perception that a follow-up shot is only for people who are bad shots; e.g. they missed their first shot or placed it poorly so they need additional shots.
As a result, a large number of hunters have developed an aversion to taking more than one shot at an animal. This is not often a problem when hunting roe deer; a shot with a high powered rifle through the “boiler room” will usually result in the deer running less than 50 meters before expiring and a follow up shot is typically unnecessary.
As bottom line, for all big game animals in Romania, you have to be ready for a follow up shot. Particular, there are two animals that requires special attention for the fallow up shot.
First one is the red stag. An average size red stag will weight around 300 kilos(600 pounds if you are from US 😉 ), and is the the most resistant to the fire shot animal in Romania. I have seen many stags lost with 30.06 caliber apparently with perfect shots in 15 years of outfitting. Also, the red stags are found in the mountains or large forests in the flat areas. If you are a hunter you know what that means.
The second animal where I strongly recommend a fallow up shot is the chamois. The explanation is simple! A wounded chamois will probably go and die in a very difficult, steep or even a non accessible area. As a result, you will end it up loosing your trophy.
As a bottom line, is always better to make a fallow up shot, rather that fell sorry for your trophy!
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