Thoughts/Experience with shooting a deer between front legs?

For those that are poo pooing this shot, that's good. You know you won't take it or can't make it, you have to know your limitations. But on a RELAXED deer from 20 yards on in, given all the right circumstances, I will take it every time. I know guys that have also killed dozens of elk and mule deer with this shot. Also for me it doesn't matter if I'm in a stand or on the ground. I actually prefer to be in a stand and hit a little below the throat patch and angle the arrow down. The included pic is the only one I have on this work computer, but I have shot probably 8 or 10 deer that were a similar scenario. This one was 17 yards and I was in a 17 foot ladder stand. She went less than 20 yards after the shot.

 

For me it has nothing to do with speed, I shoot fast bows but love heavy arrows. My "light" set up is 478 grains, my heavy is just shy of 700. I practice these shots, or there is no way I would attempt them.

 

Done it twice with success both times. First was directly facing, shot him center chest and arrow penetrated to the vanes. Went 20 yards with tremendous blood, unfortunately was a rough gut job since in penetrated so deeply. Second was a previously wounded buck, very slight quarter to, took out both lungs and he went ten yards. The distance traveled was probably partly due to his poor condition. It works at close range from the ground, wouldn't do it from a tree.

 

Tough shot but can be a good one. I know many people who are very good with this type of shot

 

I'd never do it with a bow.

 

Of course it CAN be deadly, so can a head shot or the artery in a deer's ***! No thanks, I'll wait for broadside 100% of the time.

 

Don't take that shot ...ever

 

Lots of success stories with this shot. Anyone have a story where they lost one with this shot?



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I agree most situation waiting for a better angle is the correct choice, but comparing a facing shot to a head or femoral artery shot is ridiculous.

 

Have done this 2 times, once with an -06 and another time with a ML. Both times the deer only made it a few steps. No way I would do it with a bow.

 

I wouldn't take the shot but everyone has different beliefs. Seems like it would be a easy one to wound a deer.

 

Why? A deer's head is about the same size as the target with a facing shot, with the same margin for error.
Look at the pic above, it's basically a neck shot. In my opinion, they're all horrible shot choices.

 

I shot two does last year that were severely quartering to. I personally see no difference in that or quartering away - i am shooting a high poundage setup, and both shots entered in front of the shoulder and exited mid body. both deer went less than 30 yards.

 

A Texas heart shot would be from the rear.

 

I am ashamed to say that I "tried" that shot when I was younger and lost a decent buck in the process. Basically, he was 25 yards, looking up at me while I was at full draw. The nerves and excitement got the best of me and I left it fly. Lesson learned and I have never even thought about that shot since then.

In my opinion, there are very few situations where you can't wait until that deer is broadside or quartering away.

 

I killed a large doe that was facing me but I shot her right under the jaw in her neck. (It was only the second deer I had ever killed with my bow and was 10 years ago). Now being an experienced hunter I would not take that shot. But for the record it killed her almost instantly but I wouldn't do it again.

 

I shot my first deer with a bow pretty much head on. He was a big bodied spike and slightly quartering away. I got lung and heart and he only went about 20-30 yards. In hindsight I never should have taken this shot and I never will again. It was really a combination of inexperience, nerves, and luck. To me, its not a shot that plays out that way more than once.

 

Can't remember which show it was but I recently watched a girl shoot an Elk with her bow straight on. I was amazed she took the shot and even more amazed that they recovered the Elk. They didn't show the entire track job but it appeared to have gone quite a ways.

 

Like they say experience Is the best teacher. Good post Muzzy.