Author Topic: Shot placement for deer, elk...big game (Read 11693 times)

doyourtime89 · « **on:** July 21, 2011, 06:10:15 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2011, 06:24:47 PM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2011, 07:06:28 PM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2011, 07:11:20 PM »

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

rtspring · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2011, 07:12:49 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2011, 08:10:32 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2011, 08:37:20 PM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2011, 10:35:24 PM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2011, 10:50:32 PM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2011, 07:07:20 AM »

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

cidwatermaster · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2011, 12:28:27 PM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2011, 03:06:17 PM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2011, 03:49:48 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2011, 04:17:33 PM »

Quote from: doyourtime89 on July 23, 2011, 03:49:48 PM

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2011, 04:24:30 PM »

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 ....

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 23, 2011, 04:48:46 PM »

O Here is one I missed the shoulder on

how did I do that

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2011, 04:57:54 PM »

I found one picture of what it looks like where I hunt bear ....as you can see its not in a park ...eatin spiders - falling off logs and rolling down mountain ..

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 23, 2011, 05:02:16 PM »

Plus since I usually hunt by myself I have to pack them out too .....

Neah got my boys to do that now .....

Mr Mykiss · « **Reply #18 on:** July 23, 2011, 05:32:46 PM »

Diagrams? I'm about to be on the bowhunt of a lifetime and I've been wondering about the upper limit (towards the spine) of lung shots... Last year my buddy shot a spike and double lunged him however it looked to me that the entry and exit woulds were only about 10" below the spine... seemed high to me but the thing dropped like a rock!!

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 23, 2011, 05:46:06 PM »

Quote from: Mr Mykiss on July 23, 2011, 05:32:46 PM

Diagrams? I'm about to be on the bowhunt of a lifetime and I've been wondering about the upper limit (towards the spine) of lung shots... Last year my buddy shot a spike and double lunged him however it looked to me that the entry and exit woulds were only about 10" below the spine... seemed high to me but the thing dropped like a rock!!

with the bow it is better to go for a lung or heart shot ...and their is a spot between the top of the lungs and the spinal area that is hollow .. so if your shooting behind the shoulders you can get to high and hit that spot. but with a rifle in the shoulder you can hit at the heart area and go all the way to his spine and you will drop him ... It is crazy how this has been going on for days ..but I would not stress the facts if it did not work ...every bear I have shot in the shoulder pretty much layed where I hit him

AND I AM TALKING BEARS HERE...THATS THE ONLY ANIMAL I intensionally shoot in the shoulders !! ( WITH A RIFLE)

rtspring · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2011, 05:56:03 PM »

Can you see where this one got hit at?

Never have any deer, elk, bear walk another step. Head, shoulder, heart, lungs...

The RUM Asprin makes them go to sleep right now..

By the way, neck shot at about 15 yds...

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 23, 2011, 06:12:37 PM »

Quote from: rtspring on July 23, 2011, 05:56:03 PM

Can you see where this one got hit at?

Never have any deer, elk, bear walk another step. Head, shoulder, heart, lungs...

The RUM Asprin makes them go to sleep right now..

By the way, neck shot at about 15 yds...

SWEEET ..GOOD LUCKIN ELK ..I killed one deer with a buddies RUM and your right it went to sleep

PA BEN · « **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2011, 06:34:50 AM »

Head shot 225 yds, 7mm-08.

Head shot 15 yds from a blind, 9 yr doughter. 243 covered the mess w/the gun butt.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 24, 2011, 09:21:27 AM »

Quote from: PA BEN on July 24, 2011, 06:34:50 AM

Head shot 225 yds, 7mm-08.

Head shot 15 yds from a blind, 9 yr doughter. 243 covered the mess w/the gun butt.

[/quote OUCH BEN .... Good eatin their now ......

Bigshooter · « **Reply #24 on:** July 24, 2011, 12:28:28 PM »

I always shoot behind the shoulders on big game.

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Author Topic: Shot placement for deer, elk...big game (Read 11693 times)

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