Shooting through Twigs

[HuntOrBeHunted]

I wouldnt personally shoot thru twigs with a .270.   30-06 or 30-30 might be a better round if you have alot of brush around where you hunt but still tough call to shoot thru brush. Just might have to cut more lanes and be patient.

 

 

A 30-30 is a bigger cailber but a 270. packs more punch. And a 270 is pretty much a necked down version of the 30-06.

[jjb4900]

I don't think any caliber is meant to "bust through brush".........any twig can make any caliber deviate from its intended target.

[Five Seasons]

there is really no reason someone should take a risky shot that may wound any deer (trophy or not). It's a bad excuse for not putting in the time during the offseason to trim your shooting lanes. We have some stands that require 2 trimmings. Also with modern glass, you should be able to pick your lane, and if you can't, then I wouldn't take the shot.

[adkbuck]

there is really no reason someone should take a risky shot that may wound any deer (trophy or not). It's a bad excuse for not putting in the time during the offseason to trim your shooting lanes. We have some stands that require 2 trimmings. Also with modern glass, you should be able to pick your lane, and if you can't, then I wouldn't take the shot.

If you still hunt of track in the Adirondacks you will likely be eating your tag. 

Edited June 18, 2014 by adkbuck

[Five Seasons]

If you still hunt of track in the Adirondacks you will likely be eating your tag. 

 

i'd rather eat a tag than wound an animal being careless.

[adkbuck]

i'd rather eat a tag than wound an animal being careless.

 

When I pick up a buck moving in brush I swing with him and take the shot when he hits a relatively clear opening that may still have some small twigs.  Most of good hunters that hunt the big woods use lower powered scopes or peep sights for quick target acquisition and small twigs are not always obvious during the short window of opportunity we have to shoot.  I have never wounded a buck this way and have been very successful with it.  Most experienced big woods hunters do the same. 

[Pygmy]

Not everybody hunts from a stand...

 

Low powered scopes or peep sights...What a breath of fresh air !!

 

I think I love you, ADK....Do you REALLY look like Fess Parker ??...<<grin>>....

[Five Seasons]

When I pick up a buck moving in brush I swing with him and take the shot when he hits a relatively clear opening that may still have some small twigs.  Most of good hunters that hunt the big woods use lower powered scopes or peep sights for quick target acquisition and small twigs are not always obvious during the short window of opportunity we have to shoot.  I have never wounded a buck this way and have been very successful with it.  Most experienced big woods hunters do the same. 

 

small twigs are an entirely different story than what some of the people in this thread have described. And just a friendly PSA, we all know that when following a deer and waiting for a clear shot, make sure you're aware of your new background. What was once safe might not be.

[eagle rider]

brush deflects everything.  Rule of thumb is that slower heavier stuff deflects less in light brush.  270 through a twig,... I'd rather not unless what I was shooting at was a foot behind the twig and still would feel great about it.

 

[NeverSeenNorHeard]

Done it a number of times, mostly with a .35 Remington with success. IMO if its only a few small twigs and the projectile has large mass (like a 200 gr .35), I go for it. If its an entire bush, I wait or pass on the shot.

 

Also, the distance of the obstruction (in this case a twigs from the target plays a huge role in how far "off" from the desired impact zone the projectile will make contact. If its 1' away from the target, it won't make a noteworthy difference, however, if its half way between you and the target on a 300 yard lob, then it will be deflected a substantial amount.

 

It should go without saying but, make positive identification of your target before you take the shot. Make sure it's not some guy carrying his decoy! Also, don't take chances with deflections that could go to neighboring properties or near other hunters. Has to add the PSA. 

 

That's just my opinion mixed with a little science. 

 

-NSNH

[pawle76]

I personally would not shoot through twigs on purpose. With any caliber and just because it might be a brush gun it does not mean it doesn't deflect from shooting through twigs or brush.Dave Petzelbproved that on one of the gun nuts episodes.