Bow shot vs gun shot

[Paycheck]

I got a friend that thinks gun shot animals (mainly head shot) are better eating than bow shot because of adrenaline. I can't tell the difference. What do y'all think?

[Craig G]

I have never tasted any difference but maybe someone else will chime in.

[rjtkdplus]

I've noticed that bow shot animals usually have lighter colored meat, probably because the amount of blood they lose is greater. I can't tell a difference in the taste, I've never been accused of having a sensitive palette though.

[BernieH]

I feel like bow shot animals are better tasting due to less trauma inflicted.

Just look at the wound difference between a rifle shot and a bow shot to the body - especially if the animal doesn't die instantly.

Rifle headshots may be the exception.

[brokeno]

Sure makes a difference in cattle if they are high strung, wild or stressed the meat will be tougher.

[ultrastealth]

This I know for sure, a gun shot and a bow shot sound similar if a Hoyt is involved.

[30-30]

I buy (a little) into the idea that a deer that's wounded and takes a while to die won't taste as good as a cleanly killed animal.

Assuming a good heart/lung shot, I doubt there would be much difference in taste between gun-shot deer and a bow-shot deer.

[forced-2-work]

all tastes the same to me......

[muzzlebrake]

Depends on how close you are and how much burned gunpowder gets into the meat. Other than that, same same.

[Paycheck]

Lets say bow shot hog or trap caught hog vs one shot in head.

[Paycheck]

This I know for sure, a gun shot and a bow shot sound similar if a Hoyt is involved.

Only if the gun is a Taurus Pistol

[HeyMikey]

I don't buy into it at all.
It's more about the processing, than how it was killed.

[Big pig]

Lets say bow shot hog or trap caught hog vs one shot in head.

Or caught by dogs.

I would guess instant death kills on a relaxed animal would be better than stressed prior to the shot and Long death runs.
Just a guess.

[Jcjohnson]

Have never noticed a difference.

[dustoffer]

I don't buy into it at all.
It's more about the processing, than how it was killed.

Carcass care after the kill is important, whether getting it iced down or hung in a walk-in soonest. And careless field dressing—punctured gut or bladder—yuck.