Where to shoot

[Wede]

I started hunting late in life and have hunted for the last 4 or 5 years. I typically aim for the heart/lungs shot but last year I had a doe come straight at me and ended up shooting in the head. It dropped in its tracks. At longer ranges say plus 75 yards I would stay with the heart/lung shot but am hunting a small meadow/food plot and my longest shot will be 50 yards or so. Thinking about just aiming for the head at that close range. Primarily looking for does to eat. Does that make any sense?
Thanks

 

[WaterDog88]

It’s a low percentage shot even at that range. If the deer moves even a little it could be a miss or non lethal like blow it’s ear off or hit in the jaw. I’d rather have one run a few yards and die than risk it.

 

[HeadedWest]

It does make sense.

Personally, I’m not willing to take the risk of what an inch or two off can make. The same margin of error behind the front shoulder is still a clean kill.

 

[At Full Draw]

I definitely wouldnt go for a head shot. Too risky and too small of a kill zone. If you don't want it to run anywhere, if anywhere at all, follow the back of the front leg straight up and go high shoulder/high lung. I prefer more of tight, behind shoulder lung shot, but it I dont want it to run, I'll go high shoulder.

 

[Wede]

Good point. I shoot ok but not great.

 

[HCDH66]

On broadside shots, I prefer to aim my crosshairs about an inch in front of the front leg and halfway up the body. In the frontal shot you described in the original post, I aim for the junction of the neck and the brisket. I think the head shot is very risky as far as terribly wounding an animal. If you don't hit the brain and instead break a jaw or something like that, the deer suffers terribly.

 

[Cornpile]

Shoot the red X,they will hit the ground

 

[Ash12]

IMO for what is worth, a deer hit in the heart or lungs is not going to go far, if not drop quickly. Its a much safer shot and offers a lot more room for error. I like to go for behind the shoulder myself. From what I know, parts of the shoulder are extremely difficult to penetrate. I'm sure others on here can weight in on this as well.

 

[Feedman]

Aim right behind the ear. Drop like a rock

 

[3PointSlayer]

The white patch on the throat makes a good bullseye

 

[Onthedge]

Heart and lungs are your largest kill zone.

 

[Strut 'N' Buck]

I tell ya, you hit them right here, they won’t go 50 yds, just like my buck did Wednesday at Knox (and that’s the entrance). I don’t care if it’s a broadhead or bullet!

 

[east_ky_hunter]

I took a frontal chest shot one time and hit it in the eye. Guess I’ll stick to the vitals with my great sniping skills.

 

[beauhunter41031]

High shoulder.

 

[Little FR]

Straight up the leg, lower 1/3rd. Bow, rifle, muzzleloader, pistol. I shoot all in the same place.