I see big game in my scope… where do I shoot?

Knowing which shots to take on big game will make you a better prepared and successful hunter. You need to learn prior to going on a deer hunt what shots are able to take a deer down cleanly and quickly. You want to avoid injuring or maiming the deer. Knowing what shots you are willing and able to take ahead of time will make you a better prepared hunter when the time comes. If you know what you are looking for, the decision on where to shoot will be easy. Listed below are the four most popular angles that you will see big game, and tips on what to do in each situation.

 

An unobstructed view of a broadside deer offers the best chance of a shot hitting vital organs. This is by far the favorite position for bow and gun hunters. The kill zone on the average deer is about 9 inches and the broadside shot offers the hunter a clear shot on this area, with even a little room for error. Aim for the heart right behind the shoulder blade. Even if your shot goes high you will pass through the lungs. This will provide you with a quick and clean kill.

 

A quartering away deer also offers both gun and bow hunters a good selection for a shot. This is the second best position available. With a deer in this position you need to aim for the exit hole which means you want to aim to shoot through the deer to the opposite shoulder. With an accurate shot, you will hit the vitals and take the deer down cleanly. Like the broadside shot, the quartering away shot gives some room for error.

 

A quartering toward deer is a shot that is very risky to take. You need to be an excellent marksman to attempt this shot. There is no room for error with a deer in this position. It is not recommended to use a bow because your shot will have to be absolutely perfect to kill the game cleanly. If your arrow was slightly off, you would have an injured deer that you would most likely never recover. With a gun, a shot high in the chest will pass through the lungs. A shot low would pass through the heart. If you can, pass up this shot and wait for a better look.  

 

When a deer faces a hunter head on, it gives you two possible shots, the chest and the neck. The chest area is the most popular because it provides a shot to the heart and lungs. A shot to the neck area will break the neck or cause enough shock to drop the animal in its tracks. A head on shot should only be done when using a rifle or muzzleloader. In this situation with a bow, you have a higher chance of injuring or maiming the whitetail. With any weapon you are using, excellent marksmanship is needed to make this shot.

 

The goal of any hunter is to make a fast, efficient kill. Maiming an animal does no good for you or the animal.