HEAD-ON SHOT: (for guns only)
This shot presents gun hunters with three vital
targets. A shot in the chest will hit the heart or
lungs. A bullet in the neck will usually break the
neck or cause enough shock to drop the animal
instantly. It could also destroy the esophagus
and/or carotoid artery or jugular vein.
The head-on shot is not good for bow-hunters.
Unless the arrow hits the chest dead-center, which
presents a very small target, it can easily deflect
off the bone.
BROADSIDE SHOT: (bow and gun)
Gun hunters can drop deer instantly with a broadside shot by
putting a bullet through the shoulder blade. A well-
constructed bullet will pass through the blade and the spine.
The broadside shot is also good for bow-hunters, but it
doesn't leave much room for error as the quartering-away
shot does. Arrows that pass through the vital organs produce
quick, clean kills. Aim for the heart, knowing that a high shot
will still hit the lungs. Archers must avoid the shoulder blade.
QUARTERING AWAY: For archers, the quartering-away shot offers the
best chances for success. Even if the arrow hits a
bit too far back, it can angle forward into the chest
cavity for a quick kill. When taking this shot, the
point of aim should be through the deer to the
opposite shoulder.
This is also a great shot for gun-hunters. As with
the bow, the gun-hunter's point of aim should be
through the deer to the opposite shoulder.
QUARTERING TOWARD: As with the head-on shot, the quartering-toward shot is good
for gun hunters.
A shot high in the chest will usually break the base of the
neck and travel through the lungs. A lower shot will hit the
heart.
While this shot should be avoided by bow-hunters, a properly
placed arrow can hit the lungs or heart, making for a clean
kill. However the target again is very small. If possible, avoid
this shot and wait for a better opportunity.
MAKE WISE SHOOTING DECISIONS
Making quick, certain kills should be the main goal of every gun and bow-hunter. Keeping the following facts in mind before taking a shot will help you make wise decisions.
When shooting at deer with bow and arrow, aim for the heart regions. If the deer "jumps the string" by dropping sharply before bounding away, the arrow will still the lungs.
The average whitetail deer, weighing about 150 pounds, carries about eight pounds of blood in its circulatory system. Massive hemorrhage is necessary to bring the deer down quickly.
A deer must lose at least 35 percent of its blood, or 2.75 pints in a 150 pound deer before falling. The better the hit, the quicker the loss.
Deer blood carries high levels of vitamin K1 and K2 in early autumn. Vitamin K is an anti-hemorrhage agent, which greatly aids blood clotting.
Frightened whitetails produce high levels of B-endorphin, which supports rapid wound healing.
Endorphins consist of morphine-like chemicals from the pituary gland, allowing the animal to control pain.
Deer, particularly in northern areas, have thick layers of tallow along the back and below the brisket. This can plug wounds, preventing a good blood trail.
A string tracking device attached to a bow and arrow is sometimes usefull in recovering game. However, the string does affect the arrow flight on long shots.
Published in Deer Hunters' 1998 Almanac by Krause Publications
