Shot Placement On Deer

T

Turkeyhead

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Based on the attached "artist's rendering" of possible shot locations on a deer, which location would be the best for a clean kill...1, 2, or 3? 1 being right behind the shoulder, 2 being the shoulder, and 3 being just in front of the shoulder, broadside. (Stole original pic from OJ)
 

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That's just about a broadside shot, so somewhere between 1 and 2 would be the place I would like to put the bullet.

I usually aim for just behind the joint in the front leg low on the rib cage for a broadside shot.
 
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Number one is the first choice and the cleanest...#2 waste meat, probable clean kill, #3 not sure I'd take it. Preston
 
I attached a graphic that provides a bit more insight into the deer's anatomy that might be helpful in understanding shot placement options.
 

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Easy enough, #1 on flat ground, #2 if on top of a ridge w/ deep deep canyons either side. I just don't like pulling big critters out of canyons. 40K worth of back surgery at the start of Feb. No more canyons for me.
elkman
 
Looks like that buck is facing towards you just a bit, so #1 is an OK shot (a bit too far back, but will double-lung him), #2 would destroy the shoulder but take out the heart and arterial trunk like a hand grenade, and #3 would probably just wound him.

I might take a high shoulder shot in a case like this, or wait for him to take a step to let me put one in his armpit.
 
In the OP's photo all three points are low (no margin for error). Even on the other photo the brisket is shown to be less than what I feel it is. But I am thinking MN whitetail, they carry a good deal more Fat than some areas, IMHO
This is a photo from the Youth firearms Safety Handbook.
I hear you Elkman, I always hunt uphill from camp and camp is uphill from the truck.
 

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I'm also going with number 2 but higher up, lots of margin for error in all directions in case of a not-perfect shot. Neck shots are great, no doubt, but I simply can't trust myself with them unless at close range and with a decent rest.
 
The correct answer depends on the gun, cartridge and projectile. You hit it at #2 with a projectile that has enough energy and won't break up and that deer drops on the spot. If I'm shooting with a 243, I'd take spot #1. I would not take spot #3. BTW, this isn't African game. You can shoot a bit further back than that. Also, I would shoot a bit higher as well.
 
Shoot for the heart. Always your best option. I shot a deer high in the neck like 45Marlin mentioned and it went down like a pile of bricks, but I think heart/lungs is always what you want.
 
Okay, so right above the elbow and just behind the shoulder should put it right over the heart, correct? The cartridge will either be a .30-06 or a 7mm Rem. Mag., I haven't decided which.
 
Yes, Just don't shoot too low, witch is easy to do shooting from an elevated stand. I once made a low brisket shot but recovered the animal in a short track as the lungs were lacerated by shattered rib bones. Just got lucky on that one.
As for the rifle's you list, There is excellent hydrostatic shock potential with both. The '06 out to 350 yard and the 7MM RM 450Yards.IMO
 
Turkeyhead,
I'll take #1, but just about 2" higher....for any weapon. The "general rule" is 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the chest, for a heart/lung shot. This shot will take out both lungs, with the least amount of meat damage. :)

If you were using a large bore rifle .308, .30-06 or a simular power ability, the #2 shot will break the shoulder, hit the heart and left lung on the way out. This is NOT a bow shot!

#3 is nothing other than an injury of the off-side shoulder. :barf:

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
+1 to bowhunter and others.

As to -06 or 7mm Mag - I would say it is an absolute coin flip for most of us that don't need/can't effectively use the extra distance the 7 gives.

Plus I hate the way the 7 sounds.
 
Alright, thanks everyone. I want to be extra sure about where to hit so I have one less thing to worry about if/when I finally get a deer in my sights. Which will hopefully be later this year :D
 
Between 1 and 2. You will do just fine on your hunting. Just be calm, don't get buck fever and squeeze the trigger .
 
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