Why is spine shot so effective?
- Thread starter vpsalin
- Start date
- Status
I've only shot a couple of deer in the spine, in the area of the neck. I aimed a couple of inches below the top line of the neck. They both dropped like someone had cut off their heads. I only took the shot because I was close, rifle rested, and the deer stood still (as I whistled for one to stop it on a trail as it was crossing). I shot a deer once in the heart, it let out a blood curdling scream and jumped a nearby fence. I was surprised it made roughly 35 yards from a standstill with a blown out heart. I also shot a buck once through the neck, but it was a shot from directly in front of the deer, so it passed through his windpipe first and then hit the spine on the way out. His legs just gave out and he dropped right on the spot. That shot was further, but I was confident I could hit dead centre, and with him facing right at me, the elevation change would mean little for hitting his spine.
The headshot isn't something I'd recommend on all occasions but with a rock solid rest and an experienced shooter can pull it off.I quite often shoot a moose once or twice in the lungs then move if needed to acquire a solid rest for the side of the head to shut things down.Last years cow took a bullet in the base of the ear off the shooting sticks at 200 yards after a couple chest hits trotting , she stood milling.You don't want them getting off property you have permission on to where you don't.The neck is trickier with the spine a 1/3 of the way from the back of the neck.Anatomy knowledge is paramount.
With a good rest, and a good load, and with a good rifle I can shoot the eye out of a gopher at 100 yards....why would I listen to someone saying I cant make a head shot at 100 yards...each to their own I guess 
I'm not saying its my go to shot though!
I'm not saying its my go to shot though!
canadian hunter312
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County
You have no idea how exciting and effective deer drives are and it's unfortunate that you'd never participate as it's a great time. For our terrain the shots are typically less than 75 yards with most around 40.
With a good group of guys it is safe and effective. Deer are pushed or forced to start moving and you don't want running deer. Sure it's a drive, but most deer in our group are shot by blockers while the deer are standing still.
The deer are just a tender and tasty as the ones I stick with an arrow after a successful stalk.
As for spine shots, I have spined 2 deer with arrows. One from a treestand and the other on the ground after a slight deflection off an unseen twig. Both times they required second shots and made some brutal sounds. I aim low for the heart instead of lungs these days.
Funny how regional differences run as strong as they do, eh? To hunt with more than 1 other fellow just has never been a thing in my world...it just feels peculiar.
I'm a bit old fashioned about Deer hunting. Don't like the long shots; my son will crank out longer deer shots than I want to...but then again, I've seen his shots turn out less than stellar...which kinda validates my point. But youth... 10' tall and bulletproof. My best is 344 yds with a Ross M10 on a wounded Elk. Wouldn't do it if it wasn't 3 legged already from another hunter.
I've heard a few different species make the distressed, extreme pain noise. Don't need to hear it again anytime soon. Empathy for the prey...never gonna make a 'Great White Hunter' ( Can we still say that?) am I?
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I couldn't disagree with you more....empathy for the prey is what makes great hunters. White or otherwise. People who hunt and don't have any empathy towards animals, should stick with target shooting.
As for the OP question, I didn't bother to read all 10 pages of discussion but in my experience, the closer the shot hits to the brain the quicker the results. Major nerves branch out of the spinal cord. Nerves that control respiration are closer to the head. Also, shock plays a factor. The descending aorta artery is located just below the spine. There is a theory that bullet shock can sent a pressure wave of blood to the brain and cause instant 'lights out'. Kind of hard to prove this though.
You misread that powdermaker...Empathy for the prey refers to me. And Great White is just the old catch phrase.
It's almost time for the 500 yard thread to appear...I'm not real popular there either. I consider that 'shooting' not 'hunting'...
I live right on the creek with these animals. You get so they are much more than 'meat to show off fancy shots on'. You saw them go from infant to adult...they deserve more from a person than an opportunity to prove their manhood by taking risky shots IMO
It's almost time for the 500 yard thread to appear...I'm not real popular there either. I consider that 'shooting' not 'hunting'...
I live right on the creek with these animals. You get so they are much more than 'meat to show off fancy shots on'. You saw them go from infant to adult...they deserve more from a person than an opportunity to prove their manhood by taking risky shots IMO
Last edited:
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Yes, completely agree with you. I guess that makes us both "fudds" ?
Sadly; in many's eyes...it does. I've a couple CF semi's...but unless I have a Barbed wire tatt on my arm and wear my ballcap backwards...I'm still a Fudd in many's eyes.
Not true. The vagus nerve controls the heart and lungs. The vagus nerve comes down with the corotid artery and is nowhere close to the spine.
I had a buddy spine a doe the one time. Poor thing tried to get back up and run away with just her front legs. I sprinted up to her and put a finisher in, there was no sense in letting her suffer.
I spined one once myself too, was an odd angle but smashed about 5 vertebrae. He was dead before his chin touched the ground, no finisher needed.
I spined one once myself too, was an odd angle but smashed about 5 vertebrae. He was dead before his chin touched the ground, no finisher needed.
- Status
