Rudi van Kets presents the definitive guide to interpreting shot signs and animal behaviour when recovering quarry
Using the guide here, accompanied by the easy-reference table, we can interpret a variety of shot signs to better assess the significance of the hunter’s shot. We should start with the premise that the location of the shot, the bullet strike, and the impact site of the bullet will result in different reactions from the animal. The aim of the shot is to destroy the nervous system; this can lead to many diverse responses. We must also take into account the exact point of impact, the condition of the animal, and the type of bullet used. If we presume that we have used the right bullet then we will concentrate on the animals’ reactions – meaning the behaviour of the animal as it is shot. This behaviour and the nature of the bullet’s impact will be our starting points. From here, we can start the recovery.
Shot reactions
Let’s start with the classic heart shot. In reaction to this, the animal will jump, collapse or run away. We can often differentiate between high and low heart shots; with a high heart shot the lungs will be hit and the search for the animal will be longer.
If the shot goes just behind the heart, there will be no clear signs – but if the bullet is further back, it’s a stomach shot. In this case, the animal will kick with its hind legs and retreat quickly into its wound bed. The liver will have been penetrated, and fatal blood loss will force the animal to cover.
If shot in the liver, the animal bends its back and runs a few hundred metres. By observing the flight we can see whether the animal is severely wounded.
A kidney shot causes one of the most distinctive: The animal will collapse and cry in pain, but will get up again. Observe carefully – the hind legs might be paralysed. If so, be patient – it will die in its wound bed within two to four hours.
Let’s move on to the less common (and less lethal) shot placements, typically only taking place in error. If a shot touches the spine, the animal will collapse, then kick with its legs, get up and run away. Try another shot, otherwise it will be very difficult to recover it.
If the bullet hits its leg, the animal will limp on the hit leg and run; in this case, all you are likely to find is bone fragments. The animal gets used to these wounds, so it will seldom go to a wound bed, meaning a difficult search lies ahead. If the legshot was particularly high, a vein may rupture, presenting more vivid red blood.
With no clear signs, the hardest shot to interpret is probably the jaw shot. Worse, it is very difficult to recover a jaw-shot deer. Additionally, the animal will suffer for days after being shot, before eventually dying of starvation. You will commonly find teeth, tongue, blood and whatever was in its mouth at the shot place.
If no vital parts are hit (a ‘meat shot’), the animal won’t show signs – it will simply run away. Blood will mostly be vivid red, which diminishes further along the track. This quarry is more recoverable in the winter.
Finally, a mere superficial wound – a bullet strike that causes shock, making the animal fall then run away. Blood loss can be heavy, but the animal won’t be mortally wounded.
Bear in mind that roe and red deer show clear shot signs, but wild boar less so. It is also important to remember: animals that have already been shot at will present fewer, less obvious signs, and a rutting deer will be similarly stoical, so watch closely. Behaviour will differ depending on the surrounding area and context, and whether the shot was from a high seat.
Shot Signs: Reference Guide
Heart or lung shot
Vertical jump, then the animal runs for up to 200 metres
Half-long hair found at shot place
Lung blood is vivid red and foaming
High heart shot
The animal either jumps vertically or collapses
Long hair at shot place
Lung blood is vivid red and foaming
Liver shot
The animal bends back then walks away slowly
Red-brown blood with small liver fragments
Wait for about two hours; the animal will die in wound bed
Kidney shot
The animal bends back and then goes into cover
Small amount of blood: dark to medium red
Half-long hair found at shot place
Blood mostly in droplets
Spine shot
Total collapse
Fatal shot
Stomach shot
Flees either quickly or slowly, depending on bullet placement
Small amount of blood: medium red with stomach content
Fatal but will still run a long way
Wait 4-5 hours before tracking
Gut shot
Kicks with hind legs, sometimes bends back
Medium red blood with gut content
Half-long hair found at shot place
Fatal if left alone; the animal will go into wound bed
Start tracking after 4-5 hours
Shot shocks top of spine
Falls on its back, waves its legs for a few seconds then runs away
Long hair at shot place
Little or no blood
Animal will seldom be recovered
Jaw shot
Few visible signs at first other than a shake of the head
Short hair and fragments of bone
Bright red blood with mouth mucus
Not immediately fatal. Animal must be recovered as otherwise it will starve slowly
Meat shot
Animal flees
Depending on location different sizes of hair
Medium red to bright red blood
Mostly the animal recovers if the shot is only a flesh wound
Leg shot
Animal will limp on the side of impact
Short hair, bone splinters found at shot place
The higher the shot, the greater the amount of medium-red blood
If both legs are broken the animal either remains still or moves with its hind legs
Animal can recover, not often fatal if only one leg injured
Superficial wound
Animal marks, then runs away
A lot of hair with occasional flesh found at shot place
Vivid red blood, more at the place of impact then less within a few metres
Not often fatal
