Where is the best possible spot to hit an animal when hunting? 3 scenarios, broadside shot, head on, and from behind. Where is the exact best spot for each and why? Will start hunting next year. Not new to shooting, just new to putting some wild game on the table. Totally stoked. I have someone to take me out and show me the ropes but of course at this point thinking about all the possibilities and eager to gain some knowledge beforehand.
shot placement
- Thread starter Hoggun
- Start date
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
look up vitals of each animal you will be hunting remember where the lungs and heart are located visualize on the game animal and place your projectile there pass up bad or iffy shots. head on and behind are iffy in my books because head up facing you may hit one lung and not the other and behind well there's really no place good to put the projectile.
for whitetail deer I normally take a broadside shot or slightly quartering away I try to put my shot just behind the shoulder and into where the heart is or just slightly above it(taking out both lungs and the main artery's coming off the heart) a double lung hit is not a bad thing though and will do the job
for whitetail deer I normally take a broadside shot or slightly quartering away I try to put my shot just behind the shoulder and into where the heart is or just slightly above it(taking out both lungs and the main artery's coming off the heart) a double lung hit is not a bad thing though and will do the job
Only take good shots. The goal is for an ethical kill. Broad side or slightly quartering away are ideal. Like mentioned before, lookup vitals for the animal you are hunting, and keep that visual in your mind
Good luck. Hunting is the most fun you can have, unless your shootin guns, or Ridin a harley.., or with a beautiful girl, okay hunting is one of the top five funnest things you can do, but probably some of the best memories you'll make
Good luck. Hunting is the most fun you can have, unless your shootin guns, or Ridin a harley.., or with a beautiful girl, okay hunting is one of the top five funnest things you can do, but probably some of the best memories you'll make
Broadside, I aim tight behind the shoulder, 1/3 to 1/2 way up from the bottom. Quartering away, aim for the opposite shoulder, quartering to, aim for the near shoulder. You're trying to rake the chest cavity from end to end, so try to visualize that while you're aiming. I have taken a few head-on shots, and find them absolutely deadly, but you have little margin for error in your aiming.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
As above, the best, and largest target is the heart/lung area. 99.9% of hits here (IMO) will result in a deer down inside 100 yards, often on the spot.
Head shots are best avoided. The reason is that it's possible to leave an animal with a broken jaw to starve to a horrible death. Deer can and often do, move their heads very quickly.
Also avoid any shot that will hit behind the diaphragm of the animal, the "gut shot" this inevitably results in a long tracking job, (can be many miles) to find, or not find an animal that will be a hell of a mess to clean out.
The so called "Texas Heart shot" (a shot taken from the rear with the objective of reaching the heart/lung area) while possible, is another shot to be avoided. it can result in an instant drop of the animal if you are using a rifle of sufficient power, with a bullet of construction to allow such penetration. However, like the above, it always results in a hell of a mess to clean up, and can result in a complete miss of the heart lung area, unless the animals body is completely in line with your shot, and the bullet stays true inside it's body.
The neck shot can have a lightning like kill effect too, however, like the head shot, it's an area of the deer that can move quickly while you are squeezing the trigger, resulting in a critical, or non-fatal wound, and a lost animal that may later die.
Running shots.
This is an area that can result in much argument among hunters, and here on the forum. Running shots, are completely possible, but you will have to figure the ethics out for yourself. If you decide to take one, I suggest you do not take any running shot beyond fifty yards. Preferably closer. Learning to lead a deer and not result in a gut shot is an art more than a science.
Better is to stop the deer, when you are ready to take your shot. This is done by a loud short shout, or a whistle, even by a deer call grunt if you can do so loudly. I say loud, because a running deer is often making enough noise that it may not hear you otherwise. I say short, because if you make a long noise, the deer will spot you. You want him to stop, to figure where the noise came from. Once I had to yell several times before the deer heard it. I yell woe! If he doesn't stop within about two of three bounds try again. BTW if the deer has seen you, probably all the yelling in the world won't stop it. Try anyway.
A walking deer can also be stopped in this manner, just don't yell.
Please respect the game you are hunting, and be responsible with your shots.
Head shots are best avoided. The reason is that it's possible to leave an animal with a broken jaw to starve to a horrible death. Deer can and often do, move their heads very quickly.
Also avoid any shot that will hit behind the diaphragm of the animal, the "gut shot" this inevitably results in a long tracking job, (can be many miles) to find, or not find an animal that will be a hell of a mess to clean out.
The so called "Texas Heart shot" (a shot taken from the rear with the objective of reaching the heart/lung area) while possible, is another shot to be avoided. it can result in an instant drop of the animal if you are using a rifle of sufficient power, with a bullet of construction to allow such penetration. However, like the above, it always results in a hell of a mess to clean up, and can result in a complete miss of the heart lung area, unless the animals body is completely in line with your shot, and the bullet stays true inside it's body.
The neck shot can have a lightning like kill effect too, however, like the head shot, it's an area of the deer that can move quickly while you are squeezing the trigger, resulting in a critical, or non-fatal wound, and a lost animal that may later die.
Running shots.
This is an area that can result in much argument among hunters, and here on the forum. Running shots, are completely possible, but you will have to figure the ethics out for yourself. If you decide to take one, I suggest you do not take any running shot beyond fifty yards. Preferably closer. Learning to lead a deer and not result in a gut shot is an art more than a science.
Better is to stop the deer, when you are ready to take your shot. This is done by a loud short shout, or a whistle, even by a deer call grunt if you can do so loudly. I say loud, because a running deer is often making enough noise that it may not hear you otherwise. I say short, because if you make a long noise, the deer will spot you. You want him to stop, to figure where the noise came from. Once I had to yell several times before the deer heard it. I yell woe! If he doesn't stop within about two of three bounds try again. BTW if the deer has seen you, probably all the yelling in the world won't stop it. Try anyway.
A walking deer can also be stopped in this manner, just don't yell.
Please respect the game you are hunting, and be responsible with your shots.
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Picture a soccer ball or balloon shoved inside the animal then pushed forward between the shoulders and against the sternum
with part of it behind the shoulders when viewed from the side. From whatever angle, direct your bullet to pop the balloon.
Since most of the good stuff is located between the front shoulders, you can also use the front legs as guides. Line your vertical crosshairs up halfway between the legs, then place the bullet 1/3 to 1/2 way up the chest. It self corrects for game angle.
with part of it behind the shoulders when viewed from the side. From whatever angle, direct your bullet to pop the balloon.
Since most of the good stuff is located between the front shoulders, you can also use the front legs as guides. Line your vertical crosshairs up halfway between the legs, then place the bullet 1/3 to 1/2 way up the chest. It self corrects for game angle.
Ever hear of the" Texas Heart" shot?
There are loads of pics on the internet that show animals with the vitals superimposed on them for reference.
Makes for ease than trying to explain the location of the central nervous system on a Shiras Moose.
Others before me have more wisdom than I.
Tight Groups,
Rob
There are loads of pics on the internet that show animals with the vitals superimposed on them for reference.
Makes for ease than trying to explain the location of the central nervous system on a Shiras Moose.
Others before me have more wisdom than I.
Tight Groups,
Rob
The goal should always be to puncture the "balloon" (as Dogleg describes it) of the heart/lung cavity with the first shot. I never shoot an un-wounded animal from behind.
Any animal that has had its chest cavity completely penetrated by almost any reasonable big game cartridge is going to die in a few seconds. To shoot an animal from behind is to likely destroy some of the best meat on it, or, if you manage to avoid that, likely make for a very unpleasant job of dealing with the carcass.
Any animal that has had its chest cavity completely penetrated by almost any reasonable big game cartridge is going to die in a few seconds. To shoot an animal from behind is to likely destroy some of the best meat on it, or, if you manage to avoid that, likely make for a very unpleasant job of dealing with the carcass.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The vitals of game animals are up front. and that's where you need to put the bullet. If you are slightly above the animal, you could try a from the rear spine shot that angles down into the chest; this is preferable to a Texas heart shot. From head on, broadside or quartering, center the vertical cross hair in the space between the front legs, come a third to half way up the body with the horizontal wire, and press the trigger. Don't aim higher unless you have to allow for bullet drop at extended ranges. If the bullet hits too high, there isn't much in there unless you clip the spine, and that would be more luck than good management. Avoid head shots, the target is small, and a wound will allow the game to escape, and die a lingering death from starvation Think of the animal in 3 dimensions, and envision where the bullet will exit if you are attempting a quartering shot; this will illustrate the wisdom of using space between the front legs to index your shot. I see now that Dogleg beat me to it.
Very informative thread! Learned a whole lot in a few minutes about how to achieve a good shot placement especially from John Y Canuck.
What is the scoop on ruined meat near the bullet channel? What is happening with a high speed bullet that a low speed bullet does not do?
What is the scoop on ruined meat near the bullet channel? What is happening with a high speed bullet that a low speed bullet does not do?
Very informative thread! Learned a whole lot in a few minutes about how to achieve a good shot placement especially from John Y Canuck.
What is the scoop on ruined meat near the bullet channel? What is happening with a high speed bullet that a low speed bullet does not do?
A low speed bullet will make a wound channel proportionate to the expanded bullet diameter if if expands at all. A super high speed frangible or partially frangible bullet will make a wound channel the size of your head. Everything in between will do something in between.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I like a broadside behind the shoulder shot. No need to tuck it too tight behind the shoulder as often you'll end up hitting the offside shoulder which creates a hell of a mess and you lose a lot of meat. Just a bit of daylight between the back line of the leg and the crosshair and you're set. Once you get into angles you can end up losing a lot of meat depending on the angle. The hard raking shots are almost better than gentle quartering shots because they miss the shoulders.
Very informative thread! Learned a whole lot in a few minutes about how to achieve a good shot placement especially from John Y Canuck.
What is the scoop on ruined meat near the bullet channel? What is happening with a high speed bullet that a low speed bullet does not do?
Shoot some old gallon cans filled with water with various cartridges and you will see what velocity can do. One good example I have used at hunter safety courses is to shoot an old gallon camping fuel can with a .22LR and then with my .22-250. Same diameter bullet, but very different velocity and the results are spectacularly, and explosively, different. There is no better way to understand the differences velocity can make. It also makes new shooters very aware that they do not want to shoot anything unintended with a high velocity cartridge.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
A high speed shot should in theory drop a deer much faster than a low speed bullet. However, there are a lot of variables.
Adrenaline being the chief one IMO. A standing undisturbed deer will often die on the spot, regardless of the cartridge used, assuming it has excellent placement, however, one that is running, or has been recently alerted to danger, may run a considerable distance event though hit in the same place, and essentially dead on it's feet.
Bucks IMO give up less easily than does, and go a bit further on average, but again, not always.
I've shot deer with a pile of different cartridges over the years. They all work very well, if you do your part. If they don't work well, the first place to look is in the mirror.
Adrenaline being the chief one IMO. A standing undisturbed deer will often die on the spot, regardless of the cartridge used, assuming it has excellent placement, however, one that is running, or has been recently alerted to danger, may run a considerable distance event though hit in the same place, and essentially dead on it's feet.
Bucks IMO give up less easily than does, and go a bit further on average, but again, not always.
I've shot deer with a pile of different cartridges over the years. They all work very well, if you do your part. If they don't work well, the first place to look is in the mirror.
i started off with behind the shoulder shots for a heart/lung bullet placement
i have had good success from doing this.
but again it all depends on how the animal presents itself to you.
i have had good success in lower neck and head shots on deer.they have dropped
like a stone.
my first moose was a back of the head shot,that dropped dead instantly.
i havent lost a deer yet,some have ran and folded within 50yards(heart/lung shot).
i always sit and wait for the deer to present itself into the position which would
be a good,clean kill.
i wouldnt even consider taking a head on shot,ever.
take your time,breathe,dont get excited,be very very paitent and best of luck.
if you are not comfortable with taking the shot,DONT TAKE IT.
you are responsible for that animals quick clean kill.
i certainly dont advocate running shots on game animals
i have had good success from doing this.
but again it all depends on how the animal presents itself to you.
i have had good success in lower neck and head shots on deer.they have dropped
like a stone.
my first moose was a back of the head shot,that dropped dead instantly.
i havent lost a deer yet,some have ran and folded within 50yards(heart/lung shot).
i always sit and wait for the deer to present itself into the position which would
be a good,clean kill.
i wouldnt even consider taking a head on shot,ever.
take your time,breathe,dont get excited,be very very paitent and best of luck.
if you are not comfortable with taking the shot,DONT TAKE IT.
you are responsible for that animals quick clean kill.
i certainly dont advocate running shots on game animals
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The posts so far have covered this subject quite well, and, as usual, I agree with Boomer and a couple of others who
have a lot of experience actually shooting game under any and all conditions.
I would just like to add a couple of comments. I have absolutely zero issues with taking a straight-on frontal shot, as
long as I am confident of reaching the vitals. This simply means no fragile bullets, and enough gun to assure that result.
Shots from the rear: While it is entirely possible to kill a game animal with the "Texas Heart Shot" it is generally best
avoided on game that has not already been wounded. You will need a bullet that penetrates well, and packing sufficient energy
to get up into the vitals. Of course, if you break the pelvis, the animal will be disabled reasonably quickly. As has been
mentioned, the cleanup may be a bit messy as well.
Regards, Dave.
have a lot of experience actually shooting game under any and all conditions.
I would just like to add a couple of comments. I have absolutely zero issues with taking a straight-on frontal shot, as
long as I am confident of reaching the vitals. This simply means no fragile bullets, and enough gun to assure that result.
Shots from the rear: While it is entirely possible to kill a game animal with the "Texas Heart Shot" it is generally best
avoided on game that has not already been wounded. You will need a bullet that penetrates well, and packing sufficient energy
to get up into the vitals. Of course, if you break the pelvis, the animal will be disabled reasonably quickly. As has been
mentioned, the cleanup may be a bit messy as well.
Regards, Dave.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Cartridge selection should be a matter of what you can shoot comfortably, and accurately, within the range of reasonable cartridges for the game you are after.
In Ontario it's legal to hunt moose with a 243Winchester. Far from the best choice, but quite capable if the shots are held to through the ribs shots only. Moose don't necessarily give you that shot. There was an article in Ontario Out of Doors a few years ago about a woman taking a moose with a 243. Used seven shots. Hmmm.
You can hunt deer with large magnums too, but you need to consider where you are hunting, the types of ranges you are likely to encounter, or shoot game at, and the other variables, like the cost of ammunition.
Shooting a deer with for example the 338WM can blow a huge hole in the off side at close range, wasting a lot of meat, and sending the exited bullet who knows where. Been there done that. Where I was hunting, the exited bullet could only hit trees. Bullet selection could have changed that somewhat, as it can with other cartridges. There is a lot to learn.
In Ontario it's legal to hunt moose with a 243Winchester. Far from the best choice, but quite capable if the shots are held to through the ribs shots only. Moose don't necessarily give you that shot. There was an article in Ontario Out of Doors a few years ago about a woman taking a moose with a 243. Used seven shots. Hmmm.
You can hunt deer with large magnums too, but you need to consider where you are hunting, the types of ranges you are likely to encounter, or shoot game at, and the other variables, like the cost of ammunition.
Shooting a deer with for example the 338WM can blow a huge hole in the off side at close range, wasting a lot of meat, and sending the exited bullet who knows where. Been there done that. Where I was hunting, the exited bullet could only hit trees. Bullet selection could have changed that somewhat, as it can with other cartridges. There is a lot to learn.
I hate admitting to this as it bothers me still to this day, but over the years I've taken 2 bad shots..... that I thought were excellent shots with a well sighted in rifle...... but those two 2 deer were never found.
both shots were under 50 yards...... both were head shots with a .303 brit and one a 7mm rem mag, both appeared to be good solid hits but they didn't kill.
while I've taken a few animals with headshots , it is by far my least favorite.
if I was layin out in a field or sitting on my duff on a cut line, with a well supported rifle, no problem, offhand, never again unless I'm (literally) starving LOL
slippin it in behind the elbow has worked well for me on all game I've harvested and I'll wait or pass on an animal that doesn't give me a "sure thing" shot presentation.
both shots were under 50 yards...... both were head shots with a .303 brit and one a 7mm rem mag, both appeared to be good solid hits but they didn't kill.
while I've taken a few animals with headshots , it is by far my least favorite.
if I was layin out in a field or sitting on my duff on a cut line, with a well supported rifle, no problem, offhand, never again unless I'm (literally) starving LOL
slippin it in behind the elbow has worked well for me on all game I've harvested and I'll wait or pass on an animal that doesn't give me a "sure thing" shot presentation.
i still lose sleep on the few bad shots i have taken too.nothing bothers more knowing an animal
hasnt died instantly.
as hard as it is to not shoot,but passing on an animal if its not presented correctly
is a good thing,i cannot agree more with you.
it takes a man not to shoot and a fool to to risk the shot.
this deer season(like most others) has been interesting as i sat and waited for my deer.
i shake my head when i hear boom..........boom..boom..boom in the distance.
god only knows what on earth was happening there
