Neck shots?

[sakoshooter]

  An elk's neck just has too much area with nothing but "meat."

I think everything about a deer's neck compared to an elk's neck would be smaller by a given ratio creating a smaller target. The jugular is tight against the spine also and and the trachea is only for breathing so putting another hole in it isn't going to hurt.  That's been proven by some of my fellow hunters and me more than once.

[ScottyG]

The only bull elk I've ever lost was a neck shot from about 75 yards with a 7mm.  I've dropped quite a few deer with a neck shot.  I couldn't believe that he didn't just drop right there but I was still sure I had my elk.  Well, about 500 yards later I was doubting myself as I crawled around finding blood drops.  About 2 miles later I lost blood and lost that elk.  I can tell you that neither his jugular or trachea were likely touched and all that long hair seems to soak up a lot of blood and plug up a wound pretty well.

I'm not ready to say the neck shot is a horrible shot, but there is definately more risk to it than I thought.  I won't take another at an elk.  If you are going to take it, make certain you are holding on the spine and not the middle of the neck.

[Skyvalhunter]

I can tell you once I shot a blacktail thru the neck at about 25 yards and it went down in a pile. Well my buddy goes over kicks the back of the deer, the deer jumped up and started running down hill. When we caught up to it the bullet severed one of its corotid and it was breathing partially thru the hole in its neck. So the key is definately hitting the spine which makes more sense.

[Alan K]

I've heard the same reasoning for taking neck shots over and over. . . You save more meat. . .

Well, I'd rather pop a buck or bull behind the shoulder and increase the size of the vitals I have to hit by 2-3 times and yes, risk messing up a bit of front shoulder meat (the toughest, and in my opinion, worst meat on the animal).

What about the neck meat that guys mess up taking that shot?  On average I'd say it's about the same amount of meat lost, whether it's the jerky front shoulder or the neck.    

[Kowsrule30]

I've taken and dropped 4 BT and two mid size (body wise) muleys with neck shots... From a 243 or 50 cal muzzleloader..... Elk are just way too tough imo for me to not get a lung/heart shot with the first one and make it count...... Plus I only hunt elk with a muzzleloader....

[firecrotch]

I've heard the same reasoning for taking neck shots over and over. . . You save more meat. . .

Well, I'd rather pop a buck or bull behind the shoulder and increase the size of the vitals I have to hit by 2-3 times and yes, risk messing up a bit of front shoulder meat (the toughest, and in my opinion, worst meat on the animal).

What about the neck meat that guys mess up taking that shot?  On average I'd say it's about the same amount of meat lost, whether it's the jerky front shoulder or the neck.    

im there with you. i think the shoulders are the worst part in my opinion

[grundy53]

I prefer a lung/heart shot but feel confident enough in my shooting to take a neck shot if its all that's presented me.

[MtnMuley]

Pretty small vital area.  I'd rather not risk it.

[teanawayslayer]

I like neck shots myself.  like you say they don't usually go any where.  I only take them if it is my only shot.  The vital area is alot bigger area to hit.

[steen]

I just don't understand how someone can lose a lung /heartshot deer.  The only thing I can figure is you Thought you shot it in the heart/lunge and never found it to confirm.  I shot one this past year and couldn't find blood but persisted in looking and found the deer just by thinking of where he would go.  After it got light enough the bloodtrail was obvious.  The blood was there I just couldn't see it a half hour after shooting hours opened on a drizzly morning.

[400out]

If you think a neck shot is the preferred shot, then you are seeing more critters then most of us!  If it's all that's presented then I guess, but it you have a full body shot don't be stupid 

[NW-GSP]

this where I shoot all my deer,unless Im bow hunting

Not a bad Idea, it is either a dead deer or a clean miss cause if you hit too far forward the deer is still going to bleed like crazy and too far back your still going to destroy the back of the skull. Nice shot man!

[wsucowboy]

I prefer a lung/heart shot but feel confident enough in my shooting to take a neck shot if its all that's presented me.

Pretty much the same way I feel about it.

[Kent Hunter]

I'll do a neck shot every time if it's offered. I've never lost an animal with a neck shot. It pollaxes em.

[400out]

  just saying..........