What is the most effective way to “dispatch” a wounded deer?

[Deerhunter21]

something very uncofortable to think about, but very important to think about. this has helped me a good bit. thanks.

[ssrhythm]

shot to the head if you using a gun.

I’d say shooting them point blank in the head if using a gun or shooting them heart/lungs if shooting a bow.  Carotid artery cut with knife would be best if you can safely do it. I can tell you with great certainty, choking one out with a bungee cord is NOT the way to go...long story, but I’ll never go hunting again without a knife.  Regardless...having to finish a big game animal at close distance...no matter how you do it...is going to be an experience that will grab you by the guts and wrench your soul; there is no getting around that. 

[Flyonline]

Having had to put down 2 sheep from a dog attack, and a goat stuck in a bush I'd already shot, I sure as heck don't like having a razor sharp knife in one hand and trying to hold a head still for a neck cut on a struggling animal with the other. Even the first sheep which was 4/5ths dead from blood loss put up enough fight to make me nervous: add some stress, low light/dark, difficult footing, rain/dew etc. and it's a recipe for more than one thing being cut.

If I ever have to do it in the wild I'll be shooting another arrow into the heart/lungs.

[Deerhunter21]

not a fun thing to talk about, but a good thing to know. ive learned a good bit from this thread. me personally... ill probably carry a gun with me to get the base of the skull... i dont know though maybe another arrow would be the cleanest and fastest... i just feel that if i wound an animal, ive first of all failed to give it a quick clean death and it still deserves the quickest dispatch i can give it without causing it horrible amounts of distress.

[Hawkdancer]

not a fun thing to talk about, but a good thing to know. ive learned a good bit from this thread. me personally... ill probably carry a gun with me to get the base of the skull... i dont know though maybe another arrow would be the cleanest and fastest... i just feel that if i wound an animal, ive first of all failed to give it a quick clean death and it still deserves the quickest dispatch i can give it without causing it horrible amounts of distress.
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A quick coup de grace is honorable, however, double check the state and federal  regs.  It is illegal to carry a firearm during archery season here in Nebraska.  During rifle season, you can hunt with any legal weapon.
Hawkdancer

[Eric Krewson]

Same here in Alabama, you can concealed carry during bow season for self protection but can not legally use your firearm to dispatch a deer unless it is during gun season.