The Annoyed Man wrote: Even if he was bow-hunting or using a muzzle-loader, why didn't he shoot it again? He didn't shoot it again—with an arrow or musket ball, either which would have been safer than using a knife—because he was stupid. Ergo, he died of stupidity.
I have bowhunted for a number of years. I have had to "finish-off" deer with either a broadhead or sidearm (depending on the season)...a knife never entering my contemplation stage.
"When things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plum, mad-dog mean. Cuz' if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win...that's just the way it is." - The Outlaw Josey Wales