32 replies to this topic

[webfarmer]

This was a mistake for me to write. My apologies.

Edited by webfarmer, 21 December 2011 - 10:58 PM.

[H&S Archer]

This one died in seconds under 12 yards and it was facing me. I have 145# of K.E. and know it will penetrate.

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[McPhee]

A LONG time ago I was hunting in the AZ strip country of NW Arizona.  I was hunting with a 50 lb. Hoyt  recurve bow and using home made cedar wood arrows with Bear broadheads.  It was the last day of the hunt and I had not taken a shot.  I was on a trail and as I rounded the corner a forky was standing looking  head on.  No chance to think as it was shoot or he was gone off the trail into the brush.  I chose to shoot and aimed for his chest.  The arrow flew straight and the buck jumped into the brush.  I could hear thrashing.  I found the buck a scant 20 yards down the hill.  The arrow was broken into three parts.  It appeared the buck had caught the arrow on the brush as he ran.  The broadhead  portion of the arrow was nearly out of the deer.  The entry hole was huge.  The buck was stone dead.   Sometimes decisions to shoot or not shoot can be thought out and sometimes it is pure instinct.  They say "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity".  I knew I could make the shot, and I knew my broadhead was shaving sharp as I had spent an hour on each head to be sure.

I had a similar experience this year with a muzzleloader and a running deer at 50 yards.  I felt very confident in the shot and took it.  No hesitation.  The deer was hit in the left shoulder which was shattered and the bullet went through both lungs and exited the other side.  I got a nice 3X4 mule deer rack hanging in my den.

I believe the shooter must decide on what are the limitations.  Sure a standing shot is better.  Sure a broadside shot or quartering away is better than straight on.  And I have not taken many shots due to range or thick cover, but the decisions must come it a flash or the decision is made and the game normally doesn't  hang around long.  

I do not hunt from tree stands and that may present some different set of criteria for making a decision.

[Aimo]

webfarmer, on 20 December 2011 - 09:37 PM, said:

Did I not show you a picture of a buck with the arrow hole in it from a facing on shot with my crossbow? WTH, did you not see it killed the damned buck???I bet you post on a Michigan hunting forum don't you?

Yes dear brother..i saw the pictures and forget to thank you for it..and i believe you..but i want the people who shoot only at 90 degree on the chest ( Vitals) on  standing deer waiting for the shot , i want them to see your pictures and knows there is other ways to get deer .

And can you explain to me what you mean about  Michigan hunting forum ?? i think ihave a same name but i don't remember i post over there .

[webfarmer]

aimo61, on 21 December 2011 - 01:51 AM, said:

Yes dear brother..i saw the pictures and forget to thank you for it..and i believe you..but i want the people who shoot only at 90 degree on the chest ( Vitals) on  standing deer waiting for the shot , i want them to see your pictures and knows there is other ways to get deer .

And can you explain to me what you mean about  Michigan hunting forum ?? i think ihave a same name but i don't remember i post over there .

I apologize for that e-mail. Bad day, lost it, shouldn't have happened. Sorry.....

[Aimo]

webfarmer, on 21 December 2011 - 11:00 PM, said:

I apologize for that e-mail. Bad day, lost it, shouldn't have happened. Sorry.....

No problem at all dear brother

[Buddly]

I really don't think a head on shot is a bad angle. In fact, with a firearm it is a perfectly acceptable angle.
Where the decent comes from, on most fronts, is the increased possibility of the deer seeing/reacting to the arrow. It's extremely hard to catch them off their guard in most of those situations and a 4" - 6" move on his part = wounded deer. Broadside shot reactions have much more room for forgivness, so to speak. Plus the chance of great penetration hitting the guts is reduced dramatically.

Will I always pass a front on shot? No. But the situation has to have more in my favor than his.

Edited by Buddly, 22 December 2011 - 12:56 PM.

[Fullquiver]

Buddly, on 22 December 2011 - 12:55 PM, said:

Will I always pass a front on shot? No. But the situation has to have more in my favor than his.

I never take shooting at any animal lightly but this statement pretty well sums up my feelings on this situation.  It can be done but one has to know his limitations as always.

[Jetster]

A doe doesnt have thick muscles in there neck to the brisket as rutting buck does!!!!I would not waste a buck by taking the chance.......My buck I got in PA this year had a Muzzy broadhead and 3 inches of arrow stuck right in his back-strap meat,did not effect him at all,but there is alot more wounding of animals from archers than gun hunters...Still no reason I see to take a shot like this IMO!!!!

[TRG3]

This is a confidence question that is based on one's experience with his equipment, knowledge of a deer's anatomy, distance to the deer, and the deer's state of alertness. Somehow all of this gets mushed around in the shooter's brain and a "shoot" or "no shoot" mental state will quickly exist. If the shooter has any doubt of making the shot, then pass it up since there's a great liklihood that a wounded deer is a lost deer. I hunt from a tree stand and while I have never had the opportunity to take the direct front-on shot, I have taken several quartering toward me shots, always visualizing the heart/lung area which will put the arrow in front of the shoulder instead of behind it while avoiding the front leg bone/shoulder ball joint. A quartering-toward-you-behind-the-shoulder shot might result in a liver hit but could just as easily be a gut shot. FYI, I did take an unaware doe at 51 yards once, but won't take that shot again because it just took the arrow too long to get there. Forty yards is my max distance now at unaware deer.

[vixenmaster]

I shot this Buck about 22 yds facing me through his neck! You can see on the back of neck where the BH came out. I bet he was facing me head-on!

[HogBane]

If he is facing you, its a gut shot. I wouldn't do it unless I was elevated well above the quarry.

[hankenhunter]

webfarmer, on 20 December 2011 - 09:37 PM, said:

This was a mistake for me to write. My apologies.

No, you did not make a mistake. Nothin wrong with the op. Just a bunch of hunters hashing out an honest ethical question. Go with what feels right to you! Your the one making the shot, and your the one who will have to live with any oopsies. Besides, I think it`s an interesting post with all paties involved being fairly civel. Believe me I(`ve sen a lot worse on other forums. Appology not accepted because it wasn`t needed. Good post.
Happy New Year,
Hank