Deer Hunting, what is the perfect shot placement?

[hogpatrol]

Broadside, I aim four inches up and four inches back of the front leg, quartering, aim for the opposite front leg.

http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-pictures-videos/watermark.php?file=18814

 

[onelastshot]

I went for a whitetail walk this morning with my 6mm and usual load; a 100 grain Nosler partition and Varget. About an hour later a six point came out and stuck his head out from behind a tree approximately 90-100 yards away. Using a rest I placed my shot just behind his ear. When you reach 60, It's a lot easier spending time at the bench practicing than tracking.

I'd post the pic of him but I can't get my Mac to upload properly and I've tried cropping pictures three different ways, without luck.

 

[clatarar]

I've shot probably 250-300 caribou in my life and have been skinning/ processing my own game since dad let me go on my own when i was 14.I shoot the neck pretty much every time. Meat wasted is next to nil and none of the hide is ruined.
It might be different shooting deer in the bush but up here in the barren lands, everybody takes neck shots.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I've shot probably 250-300 caribou in my life and have been skinning/ processing my own game since dad let me go on my own when i was 14.I shoot the neck pretty much every time. Meat wasted is next to nil and none of the hide is ruined.
It might be different shooting deer in the bush but up here in the barren lands, everybody takes neck shots.

Do they ever wound any animals?

 

[clatarar]

No it's DRT 90% of the time. The other 10 % of the time it'll walk less than 10 yards.

 

[Erik Cortina]

No it's DRT 90% of the time. The other 10 % of the time it'll walk less than 10 yards.

So no one has ever wounded an animal? Common, we both know that's not true. But hey, people that shoot behind the shoulder wound animals too, so it really boils down to shot placement and knowing your limitations. I myself shoot high shoulder.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

Broadside and boiler room for me.

 

[clatarar]

[/quote]

So no one has ever wounded an animal? Common, we both know that's not true. But hey, people that shoot behind the shoulder wound animals too, so it really boils down to shot placement and knowing your limitations. I myself shoot high shoulder.
[/quote]

I'm sure it happens but it is rare. I've shot enough caribou to know that a shoulder shot will definately get the job done given you have the bullet to do the job. Most up here will shoot the neck because shoulder shots waste shoulder meat which usually goes in the grinder... It's also easy to get a shot in the neck when your shot is less than 100 yards which is very common.

 

[clatarar]

It might help that I shoot a savage....

 

[Erik Cortina]

It might help that I shoot a savage....

No, it does not... ;D

 

[Joe C]

With modern bullets like the Barnes offerings it is hard not to get a good shot. If presented with a calm deer and a clean neck shot I'll take that every time. If it's a running shot like my buck last year I aim for the heart lung area. Haven't had to track a deer for many many years now with that method.

All that said, most of my deer are shot with a bow these days. I took one a couple of days ago which I'll write about later from 56 yards and he went less than 40 yards...

 

[LHSmith]

LHSmith if you shoot enough you will learn where your rifle shoots if you do it properly. The thing that truly counts is that first shot. Do you know where it will go? Clean or dirty? What about that second shot, third, or fourth?




If your deer twitchy you may need to go center mass. I like head shots because it saves meat. If you are a hunter you should not read my posts about shooting game.

Pretty clear who "doesn't shoot enough and learn"......next time out on the bench ,set your scope on the highest power in a solid rest (sandbags), fixate the crosshairs on a target and check the location of the crosshair throughout the day.
"Center mass" would be a stomach shot, which is some pretty bad advice.
Whitetails in the wild are "twitchy" by nature.

 

[dkhunt14]

It really moves on the target doesn't it? Hard to believe how far that target bull moves as the day progresses. Matt

 

[BoilerUP]

I find it interesting that people posting on "Accurate Shooter" are chastising others for, well, being accurate shooters with their shots on game....

My last two deer were felled by head shots between 60-70 yards with a 223AI and 5.56, respectively; neither animal took another step. And honestly, it really shouldn't be THAT hard to hit essentially a 3"x3" target for somebody that shoots many hundreds of rounds each year or more.

Is there more "risk" involved with a head shot going errant? Sure there is - but I've also unfortunately seen, tracked and/or dressed plenty of "heart/lung" shot deer with entry and exit wounds (often, multiple of each) in the stomach or rump.

A man's gotta know his limitations...and apply those to any given situation to decide optimal shot placement.

Head/neck shots aren't for everybody, and they aren't for every situation...but they are absolutely viable and ethical shots to take IF the nut behind the trigger has put in the time required to ensure their shot.

 

[LHSmith]

It comes down to some have more respect for the animal hunted. I know that no matter how much I practice, that I have no control over mirage (yes there can be mirage in cold weather), wind (there is almost always some influence on bullet flight even though you may not feel it ...especially thermals), and any sudden movement made by the animal as I pull the trigger. Paper targets don't move. The head is a boney mass .......and bones cause bullets to do unpredictable things.

 

[people]

Pretty clear who "doesn't shoot enough and learn"......next time out on the bench ,set your scope on the highest power in a solid rest (sandbags), fixate the crosshairs on a target and check the location of the crosshair throughout the day.
"Center mass" would be a stomach shot, which is some pretty bad advice.
Whitetails in the wild are "twitchy" by nature.

It is clear. Hunters do not shoot and learn. I truly hope you were not referring to me.

Should have elaborated on "center mass" but I thought EVERYONE would know guts and hind quarters were not to be shot.

They are nervous by nature but at least here in ND not all of them are twitchy all the time. It is truly amazing to watch deer come onto a valley and be able to see them relax. Here in ND getting on land is almost impossible for deer hunting unless you know someone. That is why so many just road hunt. Having a good vantage spot it is easy to watch dozens of square miles. Many times I have seen deer run from hunters to hit a draw then move in it to a new location then just graze or bed down. It is almost like they know humans will not go there by walking or driving.

The head is a boney mass but a deer head is not so thick to defeat a shot. I suppose I should say that if you play run and gun or small varmint bullets with no idea what you are doing then sure problem arise.

It can be hard to understand how hunting can be done in other parts of the states. My buddy from La. said he has never shot a deer past 50 to 75yds.

Edit

I am not trying to call you out or throw it in your face.

To all if you are a hunter the ones who only touch their rifle a few times a year please do not use my skill to justify a shot you can not take

End edit

 

[Barlow]

I used to shoot them in the neck if standing and I had a steady rest, and I still do if it's the only shot offered. I prefer a lung or heart shot as they bleed out much better, not so much blood left in the meat. By the way, there's no shortage of tracking snow in northern Wisconsin, it's nasty. Barlow

 

[Corey Schwanz]

I'm a personal fan of the lung/heart shot, right behind the shoulder. Minimizes meat loss and gives the most margin for error in case a little "buck fever" decides to show up. I can pull the shot any direction a couple of inches and still be well within the kill zone. By taking a headshot, a couple inches off target is a missed deer. Nothing against those that like that shot, its just not for me.

I would rather shoot my deer with a bow than a gun, but this year it didn't happen.

 

[Drop Port]

"Deer Hunting, what is the perfect shot placement?"

That's like asking two people what's the easiest way to get from point A to point B, one driving an off road bike and one in a Lamborghini. The question says it all, get a copy of "The Perfect Shot North America" and know the anatomy of the animal. Then you can determine the perfect shot for your situation / equipment or if you need to pass up the shot or wait. If the animal is still and broadside It's a different story, if not you have to know where, why and how to place it or pass it.

The "high shoulder" might surprise some as to what they are actually hitting.

 

[releehweoj]

To me the perfect shot placement is one that you can guarantee 100% success rate. So neck and head shots are out.

^^^This^^^ The hunted animal deserves the best chance at a quick and humane death. Too many variables at play on head and neck shots, even from those who claim they can do it without risk.