quartering hard to you at 20 yds. Will you blow it, pass, or still take the shot with confidence? For a moment, let's stay ethical here.
Just to be fair, I will have to answer my own question. THWACK!! The only reason I see not to take this shot is if you are unsure of yourself and/or your equipment. Just my opinion.
If I see I can make it through the pocket into the Heart Im going for it . Everything would have to be perfect if there is such a thing at that angle.
Similar scenario happened to me last year although he wasn't 150" he was the biggest buck I have seen and this will be my third year after him, unless someone else got him. edit to add: It wasn't opening day either but that wouldn't have made a difference anyway.
Wait for the broadside while praying that the deer doesn't hear my heart pounding and praying I'll have time to take a nitro pill after the shot!
A mature buck quartering hard toward me? I'm shooting about 39 foot pounds of KE. That can be an iffy shot with a gun. It would be a plain stupid shot with my bow. I'd rather have the happy memory of the 'almost got a shot at him' buck than having the high probability memory of 'the buck I lost because my greed for big antlers made me take a shot I never should have taken'.
I'd pass. I will be honest with you guys. My first couple of years bowhunting I got caught drawing on a beautiful 8 pointer, probably the best 8 pointer I have seen to date. I drew too early and by the time he got to me I was shaking (from the nerves and from fatigue). As he stopped my arms about failed me. I contemplated shooting him as he was quartering towards me. As I was about ready to fire, something inside me told me to stop. Instead of stopping, I released the arrow as I was totally shook up from everything and the arrow zipped off my bow. I shot right past the neck of the buck and missed. He bolted at only 20 yards away and I never saw him again. That was 7 years or so ago and I have never seen an 8 pointer like him again. I felt like total dog crap for even thinking about shooting. I almost mortally wounded a good buck and probably would have never found him. I am glad I missed. So I would pass.
If I'm high enough to be coming down through top of shoulder - it only depends on if I'm confident in the shot at that moment. ...sure not worried about the shoulder...as I've had many arrows exit through the shoulder with no problem - once through the "meat" of the lower shoulder on a 3.5 yr buck. Have you ever jabbed your knife info the shoulder while processing a deer? Sharp pointed knife takes very little effort to jab through (I'd guess it's weaker than a rib bone on an elk)...it's nothing for a razor sharp muzzy (but agree with Christine - the KE must be there) and anyone shooting 60+ lbs with a TUNED bow would be fine. Again - all depends on confidence level since I know my bow/arrow/broadhead is capable...but with all that said - I have often passed on this shot due to many factors and believing I'll probably get a better angle
If you can get it to pop out behind the opposite shoulder its a dead deer. I've taken the shot before and i'll do it again. Straight on, no shot though.
