quote:

Originally posted by bumscratcher:
Why do you "have" to take a neck shot? whats wrong in waiting for a "better" shot to present its self?

That could be the differance between a deer manager and a recreational stalker.

quote:

Originally posted by trans-pond:
Keep away from the head unless its from directly behind.
Side top 1/2 neck.
Frontal lower neck (back line height) is way better than frontal chest.
Frontal chest and head shots on deer are too be avoided whenever possible in my unhappier experiences!

Have to disagree on both counts the back of the head is no better target than the side or front.

Frontal chest is a bigger target than the frontal neck and will produce a blood trail.

It has been interesting to read this thread in conjunction with the report of a sheep farmer killing a polar bear with a .222. Bullet placement is everything, it does not matter what you shoot the deer with: bullet, calibre, whatever. If your expensive, hand-crafted bullet does not impact organs or structures that will result in the animal collapsing and dying very quickly then you would have done a better job with a cheap round in the right place. I think we all know that, but sometimes it takes an Icelandic sheep farmer to demonstrate it! Personally, I am prepared and quite happy to take neck shots, prefering high ones to mid-neck (never low neck), but only if I can't get to the heart and I know the beast will not offer the thoracic shot. Good hunting to all.

quote:

Originally posted by DJM:

quote:

Originally posted by trans-pond:
Keep away from the head unless its from directly behind.
Side top 1/2 neck.
Frontal lower neck (back line height) is way better than frontal chest.
Frontal chest and head shots on deer are too be avoided whenever possible in my unhappier experiences!

Have to disagree on both counts the back of the head is no better target than the side or front.

Frontal chest is a bigger target than the frontal neck and will produce a blood trail.

frontal chest is not a good place to a shot ,it might look big !,far to easy to put your bullet down the outside of the rib cage .

do this and you have a very lively problem on your hands .
i dont let clients take this shot ,unless there proven,the range is short,were on the open hill.

i like to rely on shot placement over blood trailing.

quote:

Have to disagree on both counts the back of the head is no better target than the side or front.

Hit the head from behind and you hit the brain, hit from the front or the side and you're as likely to take out face but not brain and that is the worst "cocked up shot" any deer stalker can possibly manage.

quote:

Originally posted by trans-pond:

quote:

Have to disagree on both counts the back of the head is no better target than the side or front.

Hit the head from behind and you hit the brain, hit from the front or the side and you're as likely to take out face but not brain and that is the worst "cocked up shot" any deer stalker can possibly manage.

+1

Head shot from behind.

The slightest error in windage and you miss the brain stem and blow of the side of the face.

It does not even knock the deer down, or even stun on its feet long enough to the allow a follow up shot.

Head ans neck shooting has all sorts of ways to get it wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by DJM:

Head ans neck shooting has all sorts of ways to get it wrong.

so why do it then?????????

quote:

Originally posted by DJM:
Head shot from behind.

The slightest error in windage and you miss the brain stem and blow of the side of the face.

Windage...?? If that is your shot of choice. All the more reason to choose a high BC calibre and bullet of sufficient weight to buck the wind, and be selective over the distance your choose to shoot at. As with any form of choice its all about risk management.

quote:

It does not even knock the deer down, or even stun on its feet long enough to the allow a follow up shot.

I've seen pumped up, body shot deer simply trot off as if stung by a bee.

quote:

Head ans neck shooting has all sorts of ways to get it wrong.

Nothing is a certainty in this world.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard E:

quote:

Originally posted by DJM:

Head ans neck shooting has all sorts of ways to get it wrong.

so why do it then?????????

Cos he's a professional.

Cos thats the ONLY way to achieve a humane cull on tightly grouped herding deer.

But what would I know!

quote:

Originally posted by DJM:
Cos thats the ONLY way to achieve a humane cull on tightly grouped herding deer.

But what would I know!

That's one way of looking at it I suppose.I'm sure there are a few around that could and would find fault with that statement.

I can think of a couple of counter points to your arguement. But I'll remain on the sidelines for the time being and let others provide some balance should they feel the need.

Well, best words yet are from Tophand "It's all about risk management."

Because anytime you take that shot whether it's head or neck there is a certain amount of risk involved. You just have to be prepared to deal with the risk if it don't go right. And believe me, sooner or later something will not go right, even if it takes many years

Don't ask me how I know this Waidmannsheil, Dom.

quote:

Originally posted by Dom:
Well, best words yet are from Tophand "It's all about risk management."

Absolutely. When we compare probabilities of both alternatives and the consequences that will happen when something goes wrong (as it will, sooner or later), head or neck shots ought to be avoided if there is an alternative.

Besides, there is still the esthetical question which for me makes at least headshots not a very attractive option, either. I rather crawl a couple of meters through the underbrush behind the dog to recover a roe deer or boa with a chamber shot.

The neck shot is not used by us. Damage the meat of Shoulder. Shoot slightly behind the same, nearby lungs heart!

Look this pic:

You've gotta love that hat.

quote:

Originally posted by Tophand:
You've gotta love that hat.

Hell yes you do! Make that sucker in pink or purple and add a feather, and voila! Every pimp from LA to NYC will be looking for a website to purchase one.