Shot placement for deer, elk...big game

[doyourtime89]

I have been a bow hunter since my dad started me hunting over 25 years ago.  I have since converted to mostly rifle hunting because my son is hunting now and can't pull the legal bow weight yet.  So as a bow hunter I have always wanted that broadside shot so I could shot right behind the front shoulder.  Now I am rifle hunting and been discussing where to aim with a rifle with different hunters I know.  The two most popular answers I get it are.... same as a bow shot, right behind the shoulder or I hear shot for the shoulder itself.  Just wanted to see what everyone out here has to say.  I myself have still be aiming for the bow shot behind the shoulder.   

[BOWHUNTER45]

o.K I will be sure to start this one off again !!!! with your bow hehind the shoulder , with all big game but I PERSONALLY DO NOT LET animals walk off because they only give me a shoulder shot ... I am very confident in my bow and arrows and broadheads to take a shoulder shot but would definately prefer double lung or heart shot ... does that make sense ?

[700xcr]

Depending on the range of the animal is where I place the shot on game with Modern Firearm. If I am confident at close range I will take a neck or head shot. But farther out I will take a behind shoulder shot. I shot a 4pt. mule deer at 85yds. one time in the front shoulder. 4" entrance hole and no exit. Total shoulder wasted with blood shot meat. I like to eat what I shoot so for me behind the front shoulder.

[Biggerhammer]

Shoot enough of them and you'll figure it out.

[rtspring]

I use the Rifle and I am a big fan of hitting them in the head. They will not run, walk, crawl, or even try to get up.
If no head shot or they are a long ways off right behind the shoulder...

[wall of wood camp]

I too am a rifle hunter and prefer the head shot myself for the same reason as rtspring for sure everytime im on a rest i will take a head shot if i'm off hand at longer range i will put it behind the front shoulder as i tend not to be the steadiest person in the world but get the job done.

[Hyde]

How the animal is standing will determine where you aim with a rifle.  With a bow, you need the animal to be standing just right for the highest percentage shot available.  Rifle hunters have more options.  I try for the vitals no matter how they are standing.  I don't like neck shots unless I am close (50 yards or less).  Head shots are great if you can make them, but they can go bad quickly.  Take the higher percentage shot into the vitals. 

[elkontherun]

I like head and neck shots but head shots can go bad very bad I shot a whitetail in Idaho last year at 50 yards  and he hit the ground as soon as the gun went off but got back up just as fast with his lower jaw dangling another quick shot to the neck put him down for good. This happened to me with a cow elk once to. Don't be afraid to shoot them through the front shoulders you gotta break them down. I have a uncle that always says 3 quarters is better than no meat. A waisted front shoulder is ok expecially verses eating beef in the winter verses eating elk!

[6x6in6]

Practice, practice, practice, just like your bow.
Think dinner plate (vitals) salad bowl (head) elongated shot glass (neck).  There's your kill shot sizing.  Confidence in your shooting ability should make your decision simple.

[rock]

I'm a slug gun hunter and Muzzeloader, and i aim for the low shoulder bone and heart   

[cidwatermaster]

If you are shooting a spike I would take the behind the shoulder shot but if you taking out a big bull and you are more than 100 yards away I would break bones. Right square in the middle of the front shoulder with a .30 caliber or bigger. If you are shooting a smaller cartridge like a .243, 6mm or even a .270 you may want to be more precise with a killing shot. I have killed a 4 pt bull with a .243 but shot it in the neck. I will be shooting a 7mm mag this year a plan on shooting the shoulder if I get the shot on a big bull.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Lets continue this thread while the season goes along ,,,everyone post what they shot ...Including what kinda animal - what kinda gun - where you hit him or her and how far did it go !! We see what we come with 

[doyourtime89]

Yeah that is a good idea BOWHUNTER45....here is a cow I shot last year...Master hunter hunt 3912...Ruger M77 MKll .300 Win Mag...@180 yards....head shot.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yeah that is a good idea BOWHUNTER45....here is a cow I shot last year...Master hunter hunt 3912...Ruger M77 MKll .300 Win Mag...@180 yards....head shot.

  OUCH ....NO MEAT WASTED THEIR .....

[BOWHUNTER45]

Here is a spike I shoot in the head at 10yrds ... blew his eyes out with a .54 CVA deer slayer bullet... Had the herd bull coming right at me and then he sensed something was not right and the herd turned around at left and as soon as I got out my chew can out here he come never had no idea I sitting at the cedar he chose to walk by .... It was a cool hunt ....