Coup de Grace

[mangy1983 51]

In the last two weeks l have been called out twice to give sheep that have been hit by cars the coup de grace. First time it went ok but today l hammed it up and it took 3 bullets in quick succession to put the animal down. My gun is a .223 centrefire and l have to admit l am a bit wary of walking up to an animals head and firing at point blank range as you do when a projectile is going at the speed of around 3500 ft per sec.

 

I know this is an awkward subject to talk about but has anybody else had to do this or have experience on doing this as l have to admit this is not the type of shooting l practise and practise for at the range but if l keep on being called out what else can l do but to help put an animal out of its misery so if anybody has advice on the best way to carry this out l would be extremely gratefull.

 

cheers callum

[SNAP SHOT 194]

i had to do this on quite a few trips out mate, also with sheep,

 

the best and most effective way i personally have found is too stand behind the sheep a little way back and place the round where the top of the neck joins the skull,

 

There is no thrashing about as the shot renders the animal paralised, and almost instant death, which is handy if there are bystanders,

 

i've also tried this method with the .17hmr, and it does the job,

 

never a nice job but best to end a suffering animals torment...

 

 

If that shot isn't possible i go for heart and lung, as the next best method..

 

Snap.

[bert the fert 28]

Are there no qualified slaughtermen in your area, Callum ? When it happens round here, the chap who lives two farms up the road usually gets called out, to destroy it with the bolt thingy.

[mattydski 560]

 

the best and most effective way i personally have found is too stand behind the sheep a little way back and place the round where the top of the neck joins the skull,

 

Snap.

 

 

 

I use the same place as Snappy, but on Deer, its called the Atlas joint, and can be done with a variety of tools, including a knife if the animal isnt very active.

 

It may be worth getting someone to show you how to use a knife, if you are rightly concerned about a Centre fire round at close proximity. Remember there is no legal minimum calibre for human dispatch.. Yo can also use a shotgun.

[hily 379]

captive bolt is safe and best for the job i have had to use 12 bore with magnums back of the head into the scull.

[bert the fert 28]

 

the best and most effective way i personally have found is too stand behind the sheep a little way back and place the round where the top of the neck joins the skull,

 

Snap.

 

 

 

I use the same place as Snappy, but on Deer, its called the Atlas joint, and can be done with a variety of tools, including a knife if the animal isnt very active.

 

It may be worth getting someone to show you how to use a knife, if you are rightly concerned about a Centre fire round at close proximity. Remember there is no legal minimum calibre for human dispatch.. Yo can also use a shotgun.

 

 

I'm really hoping that's a typo, and you meant humane

[danw 1,748]

Unless you have the right variation on your ticket you should not be using your rifle anyway scroll this link down it gives correct bullet placment

 

http://www.nrvoutdoors.com/HUMANE%20KILLERS/BANG.htm

[mattydski 560]

the best and most effective way i personally have found is too stand behind the sheep a little way back and place the round where the top of the neck joins the skull,

 

Snap.

 

 

 

I use the same place as Snappy, but on Deer, its called the Atlas joint, and can be done with a variety of tools, including a knife if the animal isnt very active.

 

It may be worth getting someone to show you how to use a knife, if you are rightly concerned about a Centre fire round at close proximity. Remember there is no legal minimum calibre for human dispatch.. Yo can also use a shotgun.

 

 

I'm really hoping that's a typo, and you meant humane

 

[matt_hooks 188]

Unless you have the right variation on your ticket you should not be using your rifle anyway scroll this link down it gives correct bullet placment

 

http://www.nrvoutdoors.com/HUMANE%20KILLERS/BANG.htm

 

You don't need a variation for humane dispatch. A centrefire rifle isn't really an appropriate tool though, the risk of passing through is too high. A .22LR is more than enough at close range, placed either at the back of the skull in the atlas joint, or in the front of the skull angled towards the back of the skull, aiming at the point where the lines joining the base of each ear to the corner of the opposite eye meet. A shotgun is an extremely effective tool too, though the damage can be very severe and might not be a good option if there are "civilians" around.

 

Also used a knife, both the aorta and the atlas joint. Both very effective and cause a quick death, but the animal needs to be fairly sedate to do it safely.

[ratattack 111]

A knife to the atlas joint, shotgun to the head or a .22 rimfire to the head. You must be a lunatic to use a centerfire for head shots at close range. Very dangerous for you and other people in the area for a good distance, fair enough tool if it has moved off and can be dispatched at distance. A .410 to the back of the head is quick, quiet and not too messy.

[ol26 2]

i agree - .410 back of the head - efficient and instant.. culled plenty of old sheep back on the farm.

[mangy1983 51]

Are there no qualified slaughtermen in your area, Callum ? When it happens round here, the chap who lives two farms up the road usually gets called out, to destroy it with the bolt thingy.

 

l live on an island where there is only one abattoir which is only open at certain times of the year during when animals are normally culled for meat etc so as far as qualified slaughter-men goes l don't know of any but most of the old folk know how to kill livestock with a knife from before when home killing was made illegal.

 

cheers for the replies guys

[bert the fert 28]

Are there no qualified slaughtermen in your area, Callum ? When it happens round here, the chap who lives two farms up the road usually gets called out, to destroy it with the bolt thingy.

 

l live on an island where there is only one abattoir which is only open at certain times of the year during when animals are normally culled for meat etc so as far as qualified slaughter-men goes l don't know of any but most of the old folk know how to kill livestock with a knife from before when home killing was made illegal.

 

cheers for the replies guys

 

 

That's fair enough, Callum. I hadn't looked at your location, tbh. There's been some good info posted so at least it was worthwhile posting your thread

[Lost Generation 93]

I use a .410 for that sort of job

[matt_hooks 188]

I'd not spotted your location either. Which "Western Isle" are you on?

 

I'm on Ardnamurchan at the mo, was living on Rum for a fair bit last year/beginning of this year.