Shot Placement

Shot placement is extremely important in being both a successful and responsible hunter. A responsible hunter will only take shots they feel will kill the animal and will pass on shots that they are unsure about. Most of the time when shooting a deer with a gun or bow, the goal is to drop the animal instantly.

The best place to shoot a deer depends on a variety of factors like the angle you have on the deer, how far away the deer is, hunter skill level, and more. Generally speaking the best place to shoot a deer is what’s called the traditional kill zone that includes the shoulder area and the heart and lungs behind it. This is the back of the shoulder when looking at the broadside of the deer. Most agree that this is the ideal place due to the fact that it allows the hunter room for error in his/her shot while still allowing for a humane kill. When you hit the lungs or the heart, the deer will most often run and then die. Hitting the shoulder can cause the deer to drop giving you another chance to deliver a quick, deadly second shot.

Some hunters will go for more risky shots such as straight for the lungs or a head shot. While these shots will drop a deer there is less room for mistakes by the hunter and should probably only be done if you have great marksmanship. Head shots should probably be avoided unless you have a close target and an accurate gun. Bow hunters should avoid head shots altogether.

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