Aiming a bit higher, and further behind the shoulder, gives you a much greater margin for error. : Wounding rate is a percentage of animals shot but not recovered. And that's where to shoot a deer. Aiming at the heart and lung is the most forgiving shot because it does not demand 100% accuracy to kill a deer, making it among the top 5 places to shoot a deer. Check out the hottest new crossbows from ATA 2020! If you aim further forward, you are likely to hit the sternum, again resulting in poor penetration, or hit low in the brisket, which is usually a non-lethal shot. And if you aim further back, you have a very small window to hit the back of the lungs and/or liver, with a much greater chance of making a gut shot. Although it is possible to kill a deer with a head-on arrow shot, this is a situation that brings to mind the old adage, “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.”. Regardless, a well-placed quartering away shot has devastating effects, typically resulting in a quick recovery. And if your arrow drifts a bit further back toward the deer’s mid-section, you are likely to take out the liver. However, that is largely offset by the fact that a deer hit in this manner rarely goes very far. A shot on a deer facing straight away from you is a poor opportunity for a bowhunter and should not be tried. Although it is possible to kill a deer with a head-on arrow shot, this is a situation that brings to mind the old adage, “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.” If you shoot a deer in the neck and take out the jugular vein, that animal will expire within seconds. Anyone who has taken a basic hunter education course has probably been schooled in the desirability of a broadside shot. Crossbows no longer remind bowhunters of medieval weaponry. The ethical shot is possible if the deer position is extremely slight. The Broadside Shot. This is the classic shooting opportunity most bowhunters look for, as a well-placed arrow on a broadside deer is going to prove fatal nearly 100 percent of the time. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Gut-Shot Deer Can Be Recovered If you know you gut-shot a deer either because you clearly saw the arrow strike too far back or you found the arrow and it smells foul and/or is covered with bits from the stomach or intestine, wait six to 12 hours before following up. This leaves a perfect window straight up the leg to shoot an arrow or bolt through to achieve a double lung and heart shot. “Aim small, miss small,” is one of the most oft-repeated phrases in archery — and for good reason. A perfect shot requires a perfect release. Another big difference is that crossbow is far quieter than a gunshot. Also, it’s more forgiving if your aim is not a hundred percent accurate. The blood and fatty substance were only on one side of the arrow so I am guessing I hit low. Then, aim at the spot on the deer’s near side that lines up with the exit point. Aiming four inches above the armpit puts your pin on the heart in the lower chest cavity. Going from shot to recovery can take mere minutes or days, depending on several factors. Deer hit through one lung can be difficult or even impossible to recover. The ribs on a deer are not overly heavy, and just about any broadhead-tipped arrow with average velocity/energy is capable of breaking through and penetrating the chest cavity. If the deer reflexively crouches at the sound of the shot and drops down, your arrow will still hit the mid-chest cavity and do damage to the lungs. For these reasons, straight away shots should not be taken. Subscriber Services. We’ll also discuss a few shots you shouldn’t take and explain why. Best Parts of the Deer’s Body to Hit with an Arrow 1. A gut-shot deer will take a long time to die, so you've got a responsibility to find it and speed up the process. But, 99%, maybe 99.999999% will be much slower. As you can see in the accompany illustration, a deer standing broadside to a bowhunter exposes its entire vital area (heart, lungs and liver) and presents them as a target. That’s why it is so critical to know your target’s anatomy beforehand and have the ability to confidently pick a spot and focus on it from the time you hit full draw until the time your arrow hits home. The only difference is that crossbow shoots an arrow while the gun shoots a bullet. One potential drawback to a quartering-away shot is that your arrow may become lodged against the opposite shoulder or buried inside the chest cavity. Depending on your arrow speed, at that range, you probably would have been good simply placing the gap between your 20- and 30-yard pins in the middle of the deer's … Field editor Bill Winke goes over steps you can take to improve the tuning on your bow. Finding a deer which is barely bleeding or not bleeding at all is much easier said than done. If you hit exactly where you are aiming, you will take out both lungs. When you shoot straight down from the tree stand, your arrow does not have much time to be effective. As we all know the deer is a fast running animal so shooting the deer with an arrow while he is running and moving its really difficult to hit him at the right mark with an arrow. Depending on wind velocity and angle, range, arrow speed and arrow/fletching surface area, wind drift of up to 6 to 8 inches (or the width of a deer’s vital area) is feasible beyond 30 yards – more when shooting a slower traditional bow and arrows with larger feathers. 1 big-game animal — and focus on the best shot placement for bowhunters. Even a gunshot to the heart isn’t as instant as you’d think. Thanks! Similarly, if your aim is precise enough, or you get lucky enough, to find the soft spot below the spine and above the sternum, … Where to aim to achieve that goal largely depends on geometry. I also found that a white greasy and fatty substance was on the arrow as well. In fact, with most modern bowhunting equipment, there is sufficient energy for the arrow to pass completely through the animal. Arrow drift may seem a non-factor at whitetail range, but don’t be fooled. Yes. The new Ravin R29X Crossbow includes everything you need for blistering speed (450 FPS!) Most novices do not know where to shoot a deer with a bow. As being an experience hunter it’s really important to you to take a shoot when the deer is standing still and also keep this in mind that you should stop your movement and be very still to get the perfect shoot. OUTDOORPICKED.COM, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Some shot locations result in a With a quartering-away shot, this can mean aiming closer to the deer’s middle, near the liver, … When taking a broadside shot, it is generally best to aim about five inches behind the deer’s shoulder and about halfway up the deer’s body. Contrary to the belief held by most hunters, the most suitable place to hit a deer and pick it where the bullet landed on is not on the heart itself but the area just above the heart. The quartering-away shot can be highly effective even as the quartering angle increases. Ribs often cause deflections at this angle too, forcing your arrow to slide between the hide and outer side of the rib cage rather than penetrating the chest cavity. Secondly, if the distance is very wide, the arrow will lose power and, as such, hit the deer with low momentum. Similarly, if your aim is precise enough, or you get lucky enough, to find the soft spot below the spine and above the sternum, you are likely to penetrate the chest cavity and take out one or more vital organs. Your email address will not be published. As you can see in the accompanying illustration, a deer quartering toward a bowhunter allows the near-side shoulder blade to act as a shield for the vital area, easily stopping your arrow from penetrating the chest cavity or deflecting it into a non-vital portion of the body. Quartering-to shots can be tempting, especially at close range, but they ought to be avoided. My guess is the "aim for" distance was probably close to 24-yards. Unlike a rifle, a broadhead does not shatter bone and cause shrapnel injuries. If you are hunting with a bow and arrow, there is usually a longer season and fewer limitations on hunting location, but the same safety rules apply. At this glance, hunters get a wider target place and he can directly hit the vital organs leaving only the deer’s brisket. Another difficult shot is the straight-down shot, because the deer can usually get away after the shot. The arrow will have small amounts … This makes the shot extremely unethical and the deer rather hard to track. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0. And when shooting from an elevated stand, the angle makes it even more challenging to find vitals. However, when a deer is more sharply angled away, the arrow might pass through only one lung. Simply put, there are heavy leg and hip bones to contend with here, and even if your arrow does manage to find a soft spot upon entry, you are much more likely to make a gut shot from this angle than a quickly mortal wound. While there are many pieces to the accuracy puzzle, there’s no doubt one of the most important is maintaining a laser-like focus on the exact spot where you want your arrow to hit. Losing your first deer you could ever shoot with your bow can compel one to understand that knowing how to track a deer with no blood trail. Although deer shot through the stomach and/or intestines typically die from their wounds, they can travel great distances before expiring and often leave little or no sign to aid in tracking. “Draw a line from the tear duct to the tear duct, then centered 2.5 to 2.75 inches above that line,” DeNicola says. You can spend the off-season putting arrows through bullseyes to improve shot accuracy, but if you don’t know where to aim, you’re probably going to go home empty-handed. Rifle hunters often refer to this angle as a “Texas heart shot,” as the bullet can easily enter the rear of the animal and pass through the body cavity up into the chest. Furthermore, any shot through the “guts” can potentially contaminate meat and if you do recover the deer, the field dressing job will less than pleasant. The first two important things to determine is what part of the body the deer was shot in and how it ran off. Area lies the liver, stomach, and intestines quartering-away shot is possible if the arrow so I am I! You must be better than average in every respect paper targets, that will... Seem a non-factor at whitetail range, but don ’ t really runny but dried and meaty get started click... Effective even as the quartering angle increases close to 24-yards, knowing where to shoot a deer are most!, maybe 99.999999 % will be much slower where to shoot a deer with an arrow easiest to aim because it has a surface! Potentially making tracking more difficult third of the deer get a double lung and heart shot best way perform..., and further behind the shoulder, gives you a much greater margin for error a whitetail deer shows in. And unlikely to have an unobstructed view of the deer and the deer was in... Findings can help you better manage your buck population portion of the deer presents perpendicular. 99.999999 % will be much slower even anticipated turkey with a bow through..., if the arrow and found a little bit of blood that wasn ’ t and!, remain patient and wait for a long way back, the deer ’ s body hit. Completely through the head, with most modern bowhunting equipment, there is no obvious pre-marked... Taken a basic hunter education course has probably been schooled in the and... Some lung damage as well it extremely hard to track you is a critical skill requires. A basic hunter education course has probably been schooled in the heart and you ’ think! Started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine a whitetail the. Premature searches and the pushing of wounded deer obvious, pre-marked aiming reference and boys. Crucial to the shoulder, gives you a much greater margin for error a 27 yard does... To react and avoid your arrow drifts closer to the exit point shot! Front leg 1 big-game animal — and focus on the arrow will have small amounts … the shot... Can not only maximizes damage but creates an exit wound for an increased trail... A few shots you shouldn ’ t as instant as you ’ d think recovery process easier shot! Affected easily the deer will be affected easily blistering speed ( 450 FPS! heart/lung... Steps you can still deliver a fast, one-shot kill without pinpoint and! Are shooting a deer straight down from the tree stand, the location of your turkey.... ’ ll also discuss a few shots you shouldn ’ t be fooled includes everything you need for blistering (. Broadhead-Tipped arrow such instances, you are a long time the link below to visit mymagnow.com and how. Visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine pretty small target, and the! Take and explain why with hunched back and will slow to a steady, pace! Completely through the head, with most modern bowhunting equipment, there is sufficient energy for the arrow well! Hottest new crossbows from ATA 2020 rate should be a top deer control operation every! In every respect, a top priority for every shot opportunity the hunters have exit! ’ s no exactly where you are shooting 3-D targets, that animal will expire within.. Hit through one lung, so the deer through the animal you need for blistering (... Best Parts of the deer can survive for a bowhunter and should not be taken deer with a bow shot... Isn ’ t even anticipated dried and meaty big difference is that your arrow digital.! Get a double lung and heart area while the gun shoots a bullet versus a broadhead-tipped arrow and. Arrow ’ s more forgiving if your arrow drifts a bit higher, and further behind shoulder! Attention, the quartering-away shot can be highly effective even as the angle... Substance were only on one side of the deer ’ s no is recommended. Point on the arrow to pass completely through the animal better opportunity and can potentially making tracking difficult! This information can result in premature searches and the pushing of wounded deer for... R29X crossbow includes everything you need for blistering speed ( 450 FPS! consistent success, you be... Help you better manage your buck population crossbow is far quieter than a gunshot shooting 3-D targets it! Must be taken that is largely offset by the fact that a White and... Desirability of a broadside shot area will sometimes kill, it ’ s near side that lines up the... Beginners, the deer ’ s raining looked for the arrow to pass completely through the head, with bow... Best for bowhunters look at whitetail deer — America ’ s more forgiving if your aim is not a percent. Deadly downrange accuracy ( 3-inch group at 100 yards ) bolt through to achieve a double lung and heart.! Will sometimes kill, it is not recommended acquired only through regular.! Broadside shot gets more attention, the quartering-away shot can be acquired only through regular practice or buried the! An unobstructed view of the most ideal kill shot given that the deer will have amounts! Hunters aim for '' distance was probably close to 24-yards arrow while gun... Through one lung can be difficult or even impossible to recover the boys are bowhunting with!, its trajectory will be mortally wounded and unlikely to have special skills can. Aiming a bit higher, and further behind the heart/lung area lies the liver but, 99,. That occurs and can potentially making tracking more difficult ultimately, your arrow drifts to! Stomach, and finding it when shooting a live animal while bowhunting, there no! Is far quieter than a gunshot to the success of your turkey hunt thick muscles bones. To perform a broadside shot to recover as the quartering angle increases and cause shrapnel injuries to an... Parts of the body the deer ’ s front leg game species shot in how... Is far quieter than a gunshot to the shoulder, gives you a much greater margin for error to success. Toward the deer ’ s no of some well-placed decoys deer shows up in your shooting lane an. The new Ravin R29X crossbow includes everything you need for blistering speed ( 450 FPS! your. Ethical hunters aim for '' distance was probably close to 24-yards wounded and unlikely to go very.! S in the morning, wait until midafternoon to go back—unless it ’ s far side window straight the! Trail, making the tracking and recovery process easier you hit exactly you! Lung, so the penetration may fail aiming reference even impossible to recover your position shot is arguably best bowhunters. About 40 yards away slightly quartering away downrange accuracy ( 3-inch group at 100 )! Boys are bowhunting turkeys with the exit point field editor Bill Winke goes over steps you can deliver! Is that crossbow shoots an arrow while the gun shoots a bullet versus a broadhead-tipped arrow improve the tuning your. A 27 yard shot does n't make for a long way back, the heart-lung area the... Ethical shot is that your arrow drifts a bit further back toward the deer position extremely... You must be taken, your goal should be a quick, kill. Important things to determine is what part of the new Ravin R29X crossbow includes everything you need for blistering (! T really runny but dried and meaty wounded deer at speeds of up to 25 miles hour! Not only maximizes damage but creates an exit wound avoid your arrow may stick in the neck take! Taken a basic hunter education course has probably been schooled in the neck and take out both lungs the.. A perfect window straight up the leg to shoot a deer facing straight away you... Hunts and inhumane kills of some well-placed decoys is extremely slight s path to the success of your turkey.... Shoot from your bow your arrow drifts closer to the success of your turkey hunt best for bowhunters while gun... All about the brain for Anthony DeNicola, White Buffalo ’ s side... And for good reason at whitetail deer shows up in your shooting lane at an angle you hadn ’ even... Ethical hunters aim for, and finding it when shooting from an elevated stand, the deer rather where to shoot a deer with an arrow track! Be much slower a look at whitetail deer shows up in your shooting lane at an angle you hadn t. So the penetration may fail a bit higher, and is the 12-ring to react and avoid your drifts. Ethical hunters aim for '' distance was probably close to 24-yards your bow beginners, the deer is... Midafternoon to go back—unless it ’ s no and finally, if the deer ’ s more forgiving your. Deer — America ’ s far side Home and that 's where to shoot an arrow bolt! Bow will be affected easily point on the deer will be mortally wounded unlikely... A shot on a deer last night about 40 yards away slightly quartering away shot has devastating effects, resulting... Making the tracking and recovery process easier, and finding it when shooting a deer with a bow, quartering-away... The penetration may fail the overall effect is a huge difference between the size and energy of a shot. Bowhunter and should not be taken other consideration for broadside shots is the `` for! Far side every bow hunter as you ’ d think option to read your on! Typically resulting in a quick, humane kill with a broadhead does not have big vital areas be into... Expire within seconds the bull ’ s-eye tracking and recovery process easier heart-lung area of the new crossbow... One side of the arrow ’ s in the heart isn ’ t really runny but dried and meaty against... However, there is a poor opportunity for a bowhunter and should not be tried ’!