head shots ??

18 September 2008, 00:22

F.C.Selous Stu

head shots ??

A friend shot an impala ewe in the head with his compound bow. Half the arrow was sticking out each side. It was stone dead. Surely shooting smaller animals in the head is better than the shoulder ?

Any comments ?

18 September 2008, 03:07

rjrtaxidermy

I think the smaller the animal the better the chance to wound an animal. I would never shoot an animal in the head with a bow, that's just dumb and unethical in my opinion.

18 September 2008, 08:28

SGraves155

A coup de grace with a .22 at point blank range is one thing. Intentionally aiming for the head of any wild animal with archery gear is not acceptable IMO.

Steve
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18 September 2008, 10:46

ncboman

depends on how good you can shoot

...(brag post)

I wouldn't purposely shoot a deer in the head but have no problem with yote size or smaller game.

18 September 2008, 17:56

jbderunz

last month a hunting partner, Ludovic, went to Quebec Canada for black bear.
He was set on a place visited by a very huge boar. He let pass petty bears until the big boss came. My friend went very picky and waited for a perfect broadside hit. After a while the wind whirled and the bear was gone in no time. Miffed was my friend. He decided to wait a bit longer as night was falling. He heard rustles in the brush and the big bear popped his head out. Without thinking twice he let fly the arrow between the eyes of the boar.
Big pandemonium and a bear departing. Immediately he checked for blood....lots.
In the morning, along with the outfitter they tracked the blood trail. In fact less and less blood and a mile further nothing.
3 days later they saw the boar far away. He was displaying a slash on the forehead and was not at all impeded.
Ludovic hopes to get him next year.

In fact the arrow deflected on the forehead. He didn't remember that all the animals (elephant apart) have the brain just behind the eyes. He should have shot at the noose or better just wait that the facing bear get out of the brush

18 September 2008, 17:59

jbderunz

quote:
Originally posted by jbderunz:
last month a hunting partner, Ludovic, went to Quebec Canada for black bear.
He was set on a place visited by a very huge boar. He let pass petty bears until the big boss came. My friend became very picky and waited for a perfect broadside hit. After a while the wind whirled and the bear was gone in no time. Miffed was my friend. He decided to wait a bit longer as night was falling. He heard rustles in the brush and the big bear popped just his head out of the scrub. Without thinking twice he let fly the arrow between the eyes of the boar.
Big pandemonium and a bear departing. Immediately he checked for blood....lots.
In the morning, along with the outfitter they tracked the blood trail. In fact less and less blood and a mile further no blood at all.
3 days later they saw the boar far away. He was displaying a slash on the forehead and was not at all impeded.
Ludovic hopes to get him next year.

In fact the arrow deflected on the forehead. He didn't remember that all the animals (elephant apart) have the brain just behind the eyes. He should have shot at the noose or better just wait that the facing bear get out of the brush

19 September 2008, 19:48

cooperjd

For me the issue is not how good a shot one is, but its the fact that animals cannot be relied upon to hold perfectly still. and the brain is a small target that is easily moved. then you have a wounded animal. not to mention hitting a completely still animal in the brain is still tricky. the shoulder is a far better shot for the size of target as well as the lack of motion. not to mention the ethics side of it, i would never intentionally aim for the head

20 September 2008, 00:45

EXPRESS

I've head shot two pigs in my time, both times by accident, both times taking a shot at the animal while it was walking, at close range, giving it a bit of lead and having it stop at the sound of the string. One was dead on the spot, the other took the arrove through the lower jaw, cutting both jugulars, also a very quick expiry.
However I wouldn't ever want to try it again, nor am I happy to take similar shots now. If it's walking, give a short whilstle and the animal should stop, allowing you to take the shot.
Definately not something you want to try to do on purpose.

21 September 2008, 03:30

tin can

quote:
depends on how good you can shoot

You never said anything about decoyin' that crow...

Now you're never gonna convince me what you were actually aimin' at.

Hell, for that matter, anybody can hit a watermelon.

21 September 2008, 07:40

killahog

Head Shots. I dont think I would try it I would be concerned the animal would duck at the sound and end up shooting a little high. I would however take a neck shot if the range was 20 yards or less and the animal was standing still and looking up at me in the deerstand.

21 September 2008, 10:10

ncboman

quote:
Originally posted by tin can:
quote:
depends on how good you can shoot

You never said anything about decoyin' that crow...

Now you're never gonna convince me what you were actually aimin' at.

Hell, for that matter, anybody can hit a watermelon.

You wouldn't believe how many times I've been tempted to shoot the decoy.

Gotta protect my watermelons with all the politicians around here stealin em.

how bout that sunset?

21 September 2008, 11:57

tin can

quote:
how bout that sunset?

In the movie business, that's known as "the magic hour".

22 September 2008, 16:22

.458Aubs

Deliberate headshots with a bow on anything larger than a long tailed rat should not be considered. Come to think of it, a waterbuck cow should be a good candidate for a headshot. that big head does not move much when it comes in and starts feeding, but still way too risky... I could however think of a couple of homosapians....

quote:
how bout that sunset?

Here is one I took - Nothing like an African sunset

25 September 2008, 20:46

Red C.

Unless their extremely close and you are an extremely good shot, I'd personally recommend against taking the head shot with a bow. I've seen several photos of deer with arrows in various parts of their head and they weren't dead. (I suppose I've also seen photos of deer with arrows in other parts of their bodies and they weren't dead either.) I just think the kill zone is way too small on a head shot and there is too much room for something to go wrong. My nickel's worth.