12 replies to this topic

[Spirithawk]

I'd like to hear you folks opinions on point of aim. I've always aimed low for the heart. Deer ducks the string I get the lungs. Lately I've been hearing a lot of guys say they switched to aiming for the shoulder. Theory being it usualy drops the deer and lessens the need for tracking. I hunt in heavy brush a lot, making it tricky to track at times, so that kinda makes sense to me. What say you?

[SPECIALIZED]

I agree, aim low for the heart, occasionally I have checked the Point of impact on the Deer ,and found I hit the deer several inches higher than my Point of aim .Pretty sure my aim was true.

[Old Longhair]

I had the pleasure and good fortune to talk with Chuck Adams on this very subject, back in the 80's when compounds were peticularly loud and stringjump was a big issue. The question was, "Shoot for the vitals, or break 'em down?"

His advice was to know where the heart was, and to ALWAYS shoot for it, regardless of angle or elevation.

I've always found it to have been good advice.

[Ranger]

I always aim for the heart with archery equipment. Gives you some leeway if the deer crouches to spring, or if it takes a step.

[ridgehunter]

I agree with all of the above. The heart is my target. I have seen too many deer run on three legs to have any urge to shoot for a shoulder. There is also a high probability of wasting a lot of good venison by taking aim on the shoulder.

[rt2bowhunter]

I never have aimed for the heart. My longest shot with a compound,crossbow or trad bow has been will inside 30yds at deer. To be honest in 35 years i just haven't seen string jump enough to even think about it. The only time i ever seen it was with a 150 fps trad bow. Last year I took 4 deer with a Ibex shooting 270 fps. They never moved nor did any of the deer around them when i shot. Now if a deer comes in and is wired. I just don't shoot.

As far as the shoulder IMO stay away from it. I also hunt thick stuff and need to put deer down fast. I shot the Spitfire Maxx 1 3/4 cut last year zero tracking. This year I'm going with the Grimreaper Whitetail special 2" cut.
There's nothing wrong with aiming for the heart i just never did. Shoot with that 3 blade 2" cut it might be hard to miss the heart LOL

[vixenmaster]

Stay away from the shoulder unless you shoot arrows 440 gr or more with a coc BH. Mech. just not a good option. I aim fer bottom of heart

[quadkiller]

I always aim for the heart with archery equipment. with gun I might think about a shoulder shot, but you will loose some meat.

[darrens66]

I use a 2 3/4 inch cut vortex I aim for heart and get heart lung and allsorts of good stuff in the area and tracking is short and sweet.

[Buddly]

Yup! Bottom 1/3 of the chest. POA is the heart. I try to be patient enuf to get a slight quartering away shot. This puts more lung in the path but that's a situational thing.

Pump station paralysis puts'em down fast and usually the red painted trees will tell you where he went!

[edge]

Hit the heart and they rarely go more than 30 yards. You almost always know if you hit it as their head usually drops and they charge in a straight line!

They often run right into a tree and fall within sight or hearing distance.
I see the head go down and I climb down right away...no need to wait cuz their dead before you hit the ground from your tree stand

edge.


Actually, they are not dead for several minutes, but since there is no blood flowing to the brain they are not capable of voluntary movement!

[Old Longhair]

Hard to beat a heart shot.


I've often seen them jump straight up and kick when heart shot. Game over.

[Buddly]

Old Longhair, on 07 September 2010 - 01:09 PM, said:

Hard to beat a heart shot.


I've often seen them jump straight up and kick when heart shot. Game over.

Now all ya need is some butter and garlic!