Can you shoot a deer with a bow while it's looking at you?

There are plenty of articles out there that recommend against that shot because of the small margin of error.

Couple of articles if you want to read.
Shot Selection For Deer Hunters
Bowhunting Tips: When to Take a Frontal Shot | Outdoor Life

 

This is actually the reason I don't like shooting a lighted knock except at last light. A blur is just a blur. But a pin point of light streaking at them from anything over 25 yards gives them too much notice to duck.

 

What really matters about the shot is if you are looking at him.

 

In my experience, absolutely. I've done it a bunch of times. You should wait until they aren't looking or stick their head behind a tree or something but if that doesn't happen then don't hesitate. You have less time to aim and be precise when they are looking, but I've found that it's enough to center your pin while they are trying to figure out what you are. Deer are curious animals. If they are looking right at you, then there is a good chance you have been busted, looking in your direction is a different story. I think it depends on the situation honestly, if they suspected something all along, then they are more apt to run without curiosity. If you caught them off guard, well then, they are in trouble.

 

More than half of the deer I shoot are looking at me when I take the shot simply because I bleet at them to stop em. How far of a shot it is dictates how low I'll aim. Good rule of thumb is to always aim for the heart.

 

Exactly^^ I'd take the heart shot. In approximately a quarter of a second between release and hit, I'm confident enough to believe I'd still have a clean, lethal strike.


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I've killed plenty of deer that looked up right before the shot. Heck, the deer I hunt pretty much scan the trees for bowhunters. lol

 

I like to take a more sure shot. Wait for them to look away.

 

Most deer I hunt, once they look up at you, they are gonna keep staring or haul butt. Pretty much now or never once you are full draw and have eyes locked.

 

^THIS^

 

Let it rip, you can't kill them if you don't shoot.

 

It's a low percentage shot that I won't take. Maybe a better answer......It's not a high percentage shot, period.

 

Great video thanks Scarps23. The diagrams and lighted nocks really help.

 

That's exactly what I think happened to me. Of course I try to get them at a natural stop, but sometimes that isn't possible and I have to bleat at them, then they look right at me(source of the sound). Next time, I'm gonna let it rip, but aim low

 

I have had this happen a few times & (knock on wood) I haven't had any issues yet. In that situation I aim for the heart & if they "happen" to duck then it's a double lung. Good luck!


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With the right shot angle, it is not a low percentage shot. At least from my experience.

 

I've killed a couple deer that looked up at me at full draw. I also can't remember a time when I bleated to stop one and it looked up. They usually just stop.

 

My first deer, just a few years ago, was in a group of five that was running into my shooting area and my deer caught my movement as I drew. He was 35 yds away, full broadside, and looking straight at me. I aimed for the armpit and got him in his spine. He dropped like a rock, got his femorals and the top of both lung cavities. I won't take that shot again at that distance. They move too quickly when they're alert.

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