A range animal injection apparatus has a syringe, a pressure chamber, a needle and a self-removal system which may include a contact member positioned only on one side of the needle and projections extending from an end of the dart. When the apparatus hits an animal the contact member is pushed back opening a valve at the needle end of the syringe. Pressure in the pressure chamber acts on the plunger of the syringe pushing medication into the animal. The plunger eventually closes the valve and moves the contact member forward to remove the apparatus from the animal. Pinching is reduced by the contact member being positioned below and not around the needle. The projections help keep the dart relatively perpendicular to the hide reducing pinching and increasing leverage. The projections also reduce rotation of the apparatus, helping to keep the contact member below the needle.
