Lotsa good tips on how to make sure it is dead and to get your mind ready if it is not. Adapt as necessary.
Re approaching: one size does not fit all terrain, vegetation, nor the offensive tools of the critter. Many of us have seen elk, deer, bear etc. on ground so steep that any twitch of the critter or touch of it by hunter will send it sliding, rolling downhill. A black bear almost rolled over my son as he dived out of its way, and I dodged a buck caroming down past me.
Quick steps in a swamp aren't.
Heavy brush can restrict approach, restrict my movement and particularly the free swing of my rifle.
Hey, approaching a down animal is a GOOD problem! I've posted about my rodeo with a wounded 4x5 mule deer buck. My advice is to make sure that you rassle a buck with antlers wide enough to pass on each side of your body when you grab the bases. I dropped my knife, bull dogged him down, jumped away to my rifle and shot him again. Retold only in the interest of being a good example of what not to do!
