From: black@che.serum.kodak.com (Robert Black (x37236))
Subject: Re: Bowhunting wound rates
Organization: Clinical Products Division, Eastman Kodak Company
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 17:24:47 GMT

In article <viking.718076141@vincent2.iastate.edu> viking@iastate.edu (Dan Sorenson) writes:
>black@che.serum.kodak.com (Robert Black (x37236)) writes:
>
>>Because at greater ranges, there is a greater chance for a crippling 
>>injury.
>
>	That's why a competent hunter won't shoot at ranges he's not certain
>of a kill at.  This distance is a function of weapon, skill, and conditions.
>A good hunter is familiar with his tools and uses them within their limits.
>
>>Benke describes two instances when the deer executed a complete 180
>>degree turn and was struck by the arrow in the opposite side of the body
>>from the targeted side.  In both cases the range was about 15 yards and,
>>from what he says on the preceding page, I assume the arrow speed was
>>about 190 feet per second.
>
>	That means a complete 180 in .23 seconds, so let's call it 1/4
>second due to frictional losses in flight.  Huh?  To do this, that
>deer was ready to bolt and had already dropped on his forelegs.  He
>then would have pushed to one side, pivoted on the rear hooves, and
>started running.  I find it nearly impossible to believe that in
>doing this the deer was still hit by the arrow, as he'd be one deer
>length behind his former position.  It's either a missed shot that was
>turned into a hit by luck, or a deer that rotated and not pivoted about.
>Doing this in 1/4 second on four legs is damn near impossible given the
>size of your average deer.  Something is quite possibly not being told.

Okay, let me quote Benke directly, rather than rely on my less-than-perfect 
memory and imprecise terminology:

   "While collecting deer in my research, I tied baiting and had an unusual
   experience - twice.  On two occasions spiked buck came in to my shelled
   corn at a distance of 15 yards.  In both instances I shot while the deer
   were broadside, with their heads lowered.  Both times the abdomen was my
   intended target, but that wasn't where I hit them.  At the sound of the
   shot, these deer turned 180 degrees and were struck in the back leg that
   had been opposite me. 

   "When an animal jumps the string, it is virtually impossible for anyone
   to place his shot.  Therefore, all the current talk about knowing the
   limitations of one's shooting ability and the limitations of his
   equipment is nonsense.  These limitations are established by animals'
   ability to hear the release of the arrow and move a minimum of six
   inches before it reaches them.

So note that "pivot" was my word and not that used by Benke who referred
to the movement more accurately as a "turn." And note that the common
refrain of "Know your limits and stay within them" is not relevant,
according to Benke, as an adequate guideline for reducing bowhunting
wound rates.

>
>>Whether or not both are equally effective is the issue here.  The claim
>>has been put forth by Benke and others that both are not equally
>>effective, and numerous studies have been cited to support the claim.
>>Since I don't bowhunt, I have to either take the word of others or go
>>out myself and observe.
>
>	I suggest the latter.  I don't hunt with a bow because there is
>simply not enough time for me to become proficient with it to the extent
>that I am proficient with a rifle.  Both have inherent weaknesses that
>only practice will overcome.  As we learned in the Indian wars, arrows
>are just as deadly as bullets, 

Did we really learn this?  It seems like many Indians were inordinately
anxious to convert over to guns when given the opportunity.

>but require more skill to place on target
>at the same range.  I have found that only doing each activity will
>give proper insight to just how difficult it is to master.
>
><Dan Sorenson, DoD #1066 |"I see angels on Ariels in leather and>
><z1dan@exnet.iastate.edu | chrome, Swooping down from heaven to >
><viking@iastate.edu      | carry me home."   ---    R. Thompson >
><ISU thinks I need more education, which they provide for a fee.>

---
Robert Black 
black@serum.kodak.com  - The ONLY email address that MIGHT work.
These views are not necessarily the views of my employers.
Newsgroups: talk.politics.animals