So how many use this shot??????

I have, and would again.

I inadvertently used it once.
I was dropping through some very steep brushy hillsides and had a couple doe tags in my pocket, I slipped up on a doe with her butt facing me and head down feeding 30 yards away. In my hands was a family heirloom .32 special in an 1894 Rifle. I was young and full of myself and what a great hunter and shot I was and was determined to make headshots to fill my doe tags. I aimed at her head between her legs thinking of taking her in the throat with an exit thru the top of her head. When she didn't move for a long time to present any other shot I took the one I had. When I touched it off her back legs did the splits and she covered 50 yards in 3 seconds with her front legs. I was sick and chased her down at breakneck speed jumping over bushes and logs to catch up and finished it with a short head shot.
I've not tried anything resembling that shot or a Texas heartshot since!
When I got my Bighorn Sheep the only shot I had was to take him through the hip and angle to the front shoulder, that would be the only other similar shot in my experience, all the rest have been further forward on the animal.

texas heart shots are best performed on cold, breezy days. Or when you've got a couple of kids along to "help out".

FWIW, I have cleaned a couple of deer with scrambled guts. Nowadays I would try a THS only if the animal was already wounded.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
Nowadays I would try a THS only if the animal was already wounded.

+100!

If you have a big enough gun, and the proper bullet the rear end shot can be verry effective. i would use it not only on wounded game, but on an exensive hunt, or a hunt in heavy brush on a TROPHY animal...

I kill several animals every year, deer and pigs on my deer lease, and usually will not take a rear end shot, as i hunt first and formost for meat, and I have lenty of days and oppertunities to kill game...

But if I saw a monster buck, and had the right gun and bullet [and I most often do when walking then up, then I would talke the rear end shot.

I did it with an arrow once. Not really what I had planned though.

No way in hell would I use a so called THS.

Forgive me guys, but the only animal that would possibly bring up the idea of shooting up the rear would be a trophy monster buck that won't present another shot. To me, it's just not worth having to clean a gut shot animal to intentionally shoot one in the guts or risk destroying the hams or back-strap. I mean this it Texas I'm talking about. We have deer out the wazoo, so you can pretty much pick your shots on your meat animals. There is no need to shoot any animal you don't intend on putting on the wall in the ass.

When necessary I use a Wyoming Heart Shot. THis Usually means the critter is running straight away from you. Instead of aiming square at the rectum, I aim just above it, and take out the spine. This will typically result in putting the animmals it's hindquarters on the ground, and missing it's guts. With it's hindquarters on the ground, you now have a clear shot right between the shoulder blades.

I have and will again, under certain circumstances of course.

Not my first choice, and I prefer a better presentation, but sometimes, $h!t happens.

It works, but I would like to avoid the mess if at all possible.

Realy I wouldn't/won't shoot a meat animal in the ass.

I will and have killed bucks that way 2X in my life. The buck in my avitar took two bullets, the first North to South and then 100 yards later as he slowed down to a walk...one more shot, but this one was South to North, and yes I would do it again.

Well if you limit yourself by not taking a north to south shot your going to have to pass on some good trophies eventually. Before we had good rifles and premium bullets a shot up the butt might not be fatal but with a modern rifle and premium bullets you'll get all the penetration you need and no where near the meat damage you might expect. People talk like there is something unethical about the shot. The only unethical part would be letting a huge trophy get away because you felt shooting it in the butt was just not done.

I've only taken the THS as the initail shot on two animals but in both cases it was instantly fatal. As a follow up I've used the shot several times with complete satisfaction. It just turns the animals lights out. As long as you are armed with an adequate cartridge and bullet there is no reason to avoid the shot.

Mark

I have but more so to hit the spine and stop an animal for getting away. Sounds rough but I did it to stop one of my hogs that had ripped the fence down for the fourth and last time. It was running full speed up the driveway headed for the road. I stopped it and had to make a quick follow-up shot.

I have once on a deer. The deer was angled down though and the shot went perfect entrance but came out just ahead of the hip. At first I lost the deer but found it two days later from the birds on it. They ate its hind quarters off but it had been below freezing the whole time so I saved the rest of it. Felt too guilty not take all I could. 338 win mag sitka blacktail. Felt very fotunate things turned out as they did.

Like someone already said......... If it were the only shot I had and I was using enough gun.......sure would.

Took a B&C black bear with a THS. Only shot I had. I had enough gun. Crushed the bear on the spot.

quote:

Originally posted by taylorce1:

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
Nowadays I would try a THS only if the animal was already wounded.

+100!

+101

I can wait or let it go. Killed enough big'uns that letting one walk just means I get to go find him again(maybe ).

I continue to use, and much prefer, the Carolina Heart Shot(low through both shoulders) whenever possible. Always relatively close to the actual Heart, be it head-on or from the side. But, normally I just wait for the CHS or let them walk.

Good Hunting and clean 1-shot Kills.

I don't think I have ever had to take a THS but with the proper bullet and caliber combo I would have have no trouble taking one.

Let me take that back I have shot some P dogs facing away from me. But when one blows them in half does it really matter where one hits them.

9.3x62, 286gr Nosler Partition: Two cow elk at under 100, both DRT. Complete through and through on one, the other just under the hide after braking the far right shoulder, through the gut, lungs etc. and starting off by going though the left ham. Big mule deer buck about 150yds just above the tail, all the way out the front between the legs, DRT.

I've also had some 270 bullets, Accubonds, Partitions, end up in the back end of deer that I shot in the front end, sooo, I guess it might have worked the other way 'round.

On the down side I once whacked a small buck right between the cheeks, came out at the neck in front. 160gr NP 7mag at 3000fps at 60yds, bad idea, very bad idea. Nastiest mess I've ever had to clean, basically ruined all the meat as the slug took out most of the spine.

I've had good luck with end-on or raking shots with 7x57, 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, 45-70 the common factor seems to be using a very tough bullet at moderate velocity.

quote:

People talk like there is something unethical about the shot. The only unethical part would be letting a huge trophy get away because you felt shooting it in the butt was just not done.

Mark, please tell me how someone passing on a shot angle they don't believe proper or are uncomfortable with is unethical? Seems to me that encouraging them to take such a shot if they are not comfortable with it would be the unethical stance.

Speaking for myself, I simply am not going to shoot an unwounded game animal in the butt. I don't care what caliber I'm carrying and I don't care how big the animal is. I Simply would not take the shot. And I challenege you to show where that is unethical.

Your ethics may allow you to take such a shot, mine do not. But, I do object to your statement that your stance is anymore ethical than mine. Ethics are often based on personal viewpoints. Your's are no more valid than mine and therefore no more correct or incorrect.

all my like I heard it called a Texas brain shot. has it been changed to be politically correct

It all in your location…..my friend from Georgia calls it the South Carolina heart shot.

Unethical? I say no, if the angle is correct to the chest, it is a very deadly shot.

I tried, but missed. Sneaking down the end of an orchard's rows, I new I would jump a doe at close range. When I did, she was bounding through tall grass, up and down. I had a 338 Win Mag and heavier bullets, so I knew it would work. I aimed for the average center of her travel and let it rip. I missed the butt, but got the back of her head. I probably shouldn't have tried it, but it worked, which may convince me to try again, which may not turn out as well.

MAC,

I do think that people don't take the THS because they think it's unethical. This is not based on any facts that apply to modern hunting. It's something not done. The shot if taken with care can be very deadly. If you do not personally feel comfortable in driving a bullet through the butt to the chest then please do not do it. My example of letting the animal go as being unethical was a poor choice of words on my part. What I should have said was it would be a shame to let a huge trophy get away because someone felt that the shot presented was just not done eventhough it was very makeable. Believe me I'll be the first to admit that ethics are personal and yours and mine might be quite different.

Mark

I have shot a lot of critters with the THS and it works very well. I call it the Base of the tail shot, as it usually breaks the spine or hips. I have shot deer and impala broadside in the high ham when trees were covering the chest. I love Ballistic tips in 3006 and 270 WBY for these shots, often no exit and no tracking .

I've only taken this shot on wounded game. It does work but it wouldn't be my choice of shots. I'd rather eat a tag than deliberately shoot something up the butt.....

You talking about one of these? This took place last week.



I was past the point of no return, when one of this guy's girlfriends gave the alarm sound. He wheeled to run and I quickly shifted the gun just as the trigger broke.

Not me, I pass that shot since I hunt for meat, and moose meat can be spoiled by stomach contents on it. In other words, not on animals I plan to eat. But I don't have anything against any of you, if that's the shot you like to take.

i started to respond in the negative
then had to judge myself...
i've shot a couple elk from the broadside,
in the top of the pelvis.
close range and moving, anchor them
and run in for the finisher....
shot i killed my pronghorn with last year
might as well been a ths, straight away and
i was prepared to lose some meat.
still, it makes me cring alittle
even when talking about me.
i wasn't taught this way and i'm not all that proud to say i've used it on unwounded game.
don't know where the stigma comes from...

quote:

Originally posted by ddrhook:
all my like I heard it called a Texas brain shot. has it been changed to be politically correct

ddrhook: You are confused. The shot being discussed here is actually the Oklahoma brain shot. Just ask anyone here in Texas.

Have only used it once in the 70's. It was on a wounded deer (gut shot) that was getting ready to go into another property. Put it down on the spot. That is the only time I have used it, and the only reason I would use it. It ruins too much of the meat.

quote:

Unethical? I say no, if the angle is correct to the chest, it is a very deadly shot.

Agreed, I've recovered a 270 grain TSX from a 375 H&H that entered in the brisket of a buffalo and was found in its a$$. Switch the orientation and it definately would have hit the boiler room if coming from the tookus!
Do I think it has the likelihood of messing up meat? Yup.

Ray,

I find your statement about moose interesting. In my years in AK I bet half the moose I shot took a raking shot through the guts. That green shit dries and you just trim it off. The meat will be beautiful. I promise!

Mark

The Texas Heart Shot is without question a viable shot presentation to me when used as a follow-up shot on a wounded game animal. But, the Texas Heart Shot is without question a very controversial shot presentation to many, me included, when used on an unwounded game animal for many reasons. Of the many negative reasons often cited, there are two big factors that give me concern, first being the amount of mass and guts needed to penetrate prior to reaching the vitals. Second being the amount of damage caused to the edible meat.

My first concern: I agree that a medium game animal the size of a deer is not that difficult to penetrate lengthwise with the proper cartridge and bullet. But, a large game animal the size of a moose is a different matter where the bullet must penetrate numerous feet of mass and stomach contents prior to reaching the vitals. Many may be armed with a cartridge and bullet combination designed to overcome the shorter mass distance of deer, but most are not armed with a cartridge and bullet combination designed to overcome the many feet of mass you may see on large game such as moose. This will always be a factor of having enough gun with the correct bullet.

My second concern: No matter how successful the shot, having a bullet travel rear to front through gut and contents will have a high likelihood of damaging much edible meat and will likely guarantee the rapid spread of meat souring bacteria to adversely affect the quality of any meat salvaged. This is a factor that I cannot overlook and is probably the reason why I pass on such shot presentations even when armed with enough gun. I’ve never been one to place the trophy size of a game animal above the means at which the game animal is hunted and killed. To me personally, the most important factor is the hunt itself and the choices I make during the hunt that measures my level of satisfaction, with the trophy being an added benefit. I’m not judging others, but I personally do not feel comfortable at overlooking the great risk of ruining such a large quantity of edible meat to increase my odds of walking away with a trophy mount. That’s too much of a gamble for me that risks the quality of my hunt and lowers my level of personal satisfaction. As Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cooper wrote in The Art of the Rifle- "...it's impolite, tends to wreck the carcass and doesn't bring the game down."

Best

quote:

Originally posted by Antelope Sniper:
When necessary I use a Wyoming Heart Shot. THis Usually means the critter is running straight away from you. Instead of aiming square at the rectum, I aim just above it, and take out the spine. This will typically result in putting the animmals it's hindquarters on the ground, and missing it's guts. With it's hindquarters on the ground, you now have a clear shot right between the shoulder blades.

I've used this shot, works very well.

On a driven hunt that is the shot you are most likely to get. Use enough gun

Interesting thread...not too many flames yet...

I once shot a deer THS - was aiming for the base of the neck at abut 20 or 30 yards.

Deer 'loped during the shot, raising its arse up where the neck used to be.

Deer died right there - one of the quickest deaths I've witnessed.

It wasn't until I started gutting it that I realized where I'd hit the deer (one caliber to the right of you know what). At that point, I thought I was in for a big mess...

Turns out, the bullet must have traveled just beneath the spine, all the way up into the chest cavity. Nothing but blood and jelled lungs above the diaphram - really spectacular, actually.

Better yet, the bullet hadn't touched any of the bowels or stomach contents, nor had it ruined the interior tenderloins or the backstraps.

One in a million shot, I suppose.

That being said, I don't think I'd willingly try it again on unwounded game.

And the bullet? .270 Remington Core-lockt Ultra (bonded), 140 gr.

Do you play the lottery after you've already won?

friar

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Ray,

I find your statement about moose interesting. In my years in AK I bet half the moose I shot took a raking shot through the guts. That green shit dries and you just trim it off. The meat will be beautiful. I promise!

Mark

The stomach contents of a moose taints the meat, so one would have to wash it to remove the junk, which defeats the purpose of keeping it dry. Our moose meat (my hunting partners and me), is kept cool, dry, and clean. I would never intentionally take a shot that taints the meat. I have taken a few quartering-away shots on moose, but never to hit the stomach.

Well, I have been hunting in Texas for 40 years, and have been priveledged to hunt in a few other states and a couple of Canadian provinces and have NEVER found any reason to take a THS.

I know that they are effective and work, but personally feel that if a person is paying attention to what they are doing, they should never have to take such a shot except on wounded animals.

I ain't asking for anyone to agree with me, I am just stating an opinion based on personal experiences, your mileage may vary.

So Ray are you calling me a liar? You wouldn't be the first. I'm just curious. Tenderloins bathed in green guts. Let it dry and trim off thoroughly. Eat gourmet tenderloin. I know what stomach contents taste like and none of the gut flavor is left after trimming.

That is about as relevenat as saying that all the caribou and moose fat needs to be trimmedoff because it will be rancid. BS! We always left the fat on the rump roasts and add the rest to our burger. Excellent!

Ray, we did this for 22 years. If it didn't work we would have done something else.

Mark

quote:

I would try a THS only if the animal was already wounded.

+102

i guess in motnana we try for the montana heart shot, which involves actually shooting it in the heart.