TO SHOOT OR NOT

[mr meat]

I have had only one opportunity to take that shot and it would have been my first bow buck a very nice eight point! Was not my first deer with the bow i let it walk!To this day i am fine with it!

[Tom]

If you "question" the shot, then do NOT take it regardless of what someone else tells you he/she would do.

It's a personal decision based on training and your comfort level.

I know folks that make "hard" shots consistantly. Those shots are not hard for them. I also know guys that shouldn't be taking 20 yard broadside shots.

Take the shot you are prepared to make. Your skill level and comfort level should make that decision for you, Follow your gut and there will be no complaints.

There have been many quality suggestions made in this thread, but I believe that Sumner said it best. You must feel comfortable and confidant in your shot, if not, let it slide for another day or time.

But remember that if it is walking towards you, he will turn one way or the other or he will walk over you. The closer you let him come, the easier will be the shot when he actually turns away. Stay ready and be able when the deer turns and you will get your side shot which gives you the highest percentage shot for a clean quick kill.

Good luck

[Big58cal]

I wouldn't take a head-on shot personally. I've taken a couple of quartering-to shots, but they weren't that steep of an angle. I just want to know that when I shoot, I'm going to recover the animal. I've lost a couple through the years and can still remember everything about every one of them.

[UPSMAN]

thanks to all who voiced their opinion. One of you hit it right on the head. I do in fact have a stand in mind that usually presents a head on shot. Moving off the trail is not an option,as there are no trees big enough for a climber. Guess I could try shooting straight down on him but I can't get very high in this tree. Guess I will have to wait and make the decision if and when it happens.

[vixenmaster]

I am not avocating anyone take a shot they have a ? about. As you can see this Doe came in gave me a frontal and abit right shoulder. I took my shot she ran & fell insight. Dead is Dead!

[vixenmaster]

I shot this 4 pt while i was slippin n he was tippin comin to me. Right through the throat patch & went through neck bone. Look at back of his neck, i reckon i had best not shoot deer frontally!

[wabi]

I'm lazy. I don't shoot unless it's a good double lung shot.
Usually no blood trailing and a quick & easy recovery.

[vixenmaster]

I'm lazy. I don't shoot unless it's a good double lung shot.
Usually no blood trailing and a quick & easy recovery.

Thats the preferred way to go, i like good clean killin shots. Bein confedent in equipement & self means alot durin huntin.

[Roadrunnr72]

It shouldn't matter whether it's a buck of the life time or a doe, if your not confident in your shot, you shouldn't shoot.

[DuckHunt]

If you take that shot aim for the center of the white spot under the neck. The deer will drop like a rock from you severing the spinal cord. I have killed 2 deer so far with this shot. Mind you both were under a 10 yard shot & I was sitting on the ground.

X 2.

I too have taken two deer with a frontal shot, but the circumstances were perfect to take the specific shot mentioned above. Being on ground level with the deer is a must. In both cases I was intentionally aiming for the neck facing head on with my ExoMax. Both deer dropped in their tracks. It is certainly not a shot placement I prefer, but it is possible.

If you are elevated above the deer the dynamics are completely different. There are angles from the front above the deer where I wouldn't be comfortable taking the shot with a rifle let alone a crossbow.

DuckHunt

[The Chief]

This is one of those self questions only you can answere to yourself!!! Myself if the deer is between 15+25 yards and the situation is right I will do it but only if I can get a clean throat shot. but only you know your shooting ability no one else can make this desicion for you. This one I too at 15 yards I lined up on him made a bleet and when he looked up wack...Would not have tried this without the wide cutting Rage 2 blade broadheads...

[Mister B]

Had a guy on a bow lease who tried it. He looked for three days and never found the deer. During the following gun season a hunter on the lease next to us shot a deer and found a partial arrow with razor tip embeded inside the chest cavity and jammed into the ribs from the inside. There are just too many variables and too small of a kill spot for such a shot IMHO. Can you imagine the misery that poor deer suffered before a bullet relieved him of his pain?