Rifle Season, Shot Placement

[DeadEyeGardner]

Hey guys and gals.

I wanted to start this thread out of curiosity and discussion purposes (hopefully not start any wars lol). In my time hunting ive seen guys take a couple different approaches, may it be a vitals shot or spinal shot during rifle season. Also, as im sure it does matter, with different hig game possible different shot placement may be necessary. Curious as if anyone could shed further light on the subject, pros/cons or even stories that relate.

BG

[DeadEyeGardner]

Should read BIG Game, not HIG game lol.

[Bassett]

I will more than likely always choose behind front shoulder. It's more dependable than a neck shot. The animal I did end up shooting in front of the shoulder dropped on the spot but did require a follow up shot. So I prefer heart/lungs all the way.

[alacringa]

Originally Posted by Bassett

I will more than likely always choose behind front shoulder. It's more dependable than a neck shot. The animal I did end up shooting in front of the shoulder dropped on the spot but did require a follow up shot. So I prefer heart/lungs all the way.

x2. Heart-lung shot is the most humane.

[bdub]

I think of the front legs as goal posts. From any reasonable angle that the animal is facing I try and put the bullet in between the vertical lines made by the front legs and hold halfway up the body. If he's directly broadside I hold straight on the leg line half way up. Hope I explained that ok.

[Bassett]

Originally Posted by bdub

I think of the front legs as goal posts. From any reasonable angle that the animal is facing I try and put the bullet in between the vertical lines made by the front legs and hold halfway up the body. If he's directly broadside I hold straight on the leg line half way up. Hope I explained that ok.

Not bashing, but out of curiosity wouldn't that ruin a lot of meat?

[bdub]

Originally Posted by Bassett

Not bashing, but out of curiosity wouldn't that ruin a lot of meat?

At times you will loose a fair bit depending on the angle, bullet performance, actual point of impact etc. Other times nothing or very little.

[super7mag]

Heart/lung are the vitals that have the largest margin for error ( biggest target) .
A head shot is likley the most humane but has quite a bit larger chance of error.
Frontal shots dropp animals in there tracks, but can be quite messy when opened up.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Boiler room heart lungs....depending on the angle decides where I aim left/right but the vertical cross hair is always between bottom 1/3 and 1/2 way up the chest cavity....I don't like the "high" shot personally. After having a deer get up and run away (only to be seen 2 weeks after season feeding wth does) I never take a neck shot UNLESS I have already hit the animal and it's a kill shot at close range.

LC

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

Originally Posted by alacringa

x2. Heart-lung shot is the most humane.

I agree with this statement

Double lung is with maybe other internal organs being hit as well (Liver/heart).

Must be the bow hunter in me for the double lung.

[Speckle55]

When shooting a animal its important to know where the vitals are and what percent are your odds of hitting that target

example would you have a better chance of hitting a 2 to 3 inch target(spine) or a 9 to 10 inch target(heart/lungs)

my personal favorite target is the heart/lungs shot

I leave my animal for 1hr or more if it goes out of sight then track it down

if I see it fall then I will go to it immediately http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrostatic_shock






Food for Thought

David

[Mateo]

If it's less than 100-150 yards, I go for the neck. It kills them quick and bleeds them out fast. Any further it's heart lungs. That being said, I've sent some close up snap shots to the boiler room because it was free hand standing in tall grass.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by alacringa

x2. Heart-lung shot is the most humane.

[expmler]

Broadside double lung, two broken ribs and completely bled out.