Sam H said above....
"Bottom line: overkill is fine with me because there's no such thing as over-retrieval."
Never heard that concept. Very Good Point.
"over retrieval" .... might be if they Fall IN the truck ?
otherwise you are right.
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Guys, several have mentioned following blood trails. I know what you're are talking about.
Here's my solution.
Since 2012 I've been deer hunting family 70 acres and I don't have permission to hunt "surrounding" property.
Also NICE - NO ONE else has permission to hunt where I do !!!
I have been shooting HIGH Shoulder shots.....D R T (Drop Right There). Some here have said you lose too much meat.
NOT more than a double handful.
Mule Deer recently said, " Hi Shoulder -Spine" shot. I promise, you don't lose much meat.
I could post several pix but I'll only post one to illustrate the point.
The EXIT side -- OFF side,
I shot this Doe, Hi Shoulder SPINE shot. DRT, no blood trail with a 270 Win, 130 Cor Lokt, +/- 100 yds.
Always my preferred shot.
Jerry