SHOT PLACEMENT OPTIONS
The goal for all responsible hunter's is to kill an animal with one ethical shot. That being said there are different ethical shots that we can take, let's discuss them.
HEART/LUNG SHOT
This shot is the most traditionally used shot in the book and one in which I feel the most comfortable with.
The upside to this shot is that there is a much bigger target area. This shot will produce massive blood flow which leads to an easier track job.
The downside to this shot is that the animal doesn't always fall immediately and tracking is typically involved. Some hunter's use lighter weight bullets and there is a slight chance that the bullet can bounce off a rib or shoulder bone which could result in a loss animal.
DOUBLE SHOULDER SHOT
This shot is designed to go in one shoulder through the body and out the opposite shoulder. This shot requires a heavier weight bullet.
The upside to this shot is that the animal will drop immediately.
The downside to this shot is there will be a significant loss in meat.
HIGH SHOULDER SHOT
This shot is best with a heavy fast moving bullet. The purpose of this shot is to break the spine, ribs and ultimately disconnect the nervous system immediately.
The downside to this shot is again the loss of meat, but also the very limited target.
HEAD/BRAIN SHOT
This shot provides an immediate kill as long as the brain is hit directly. This shot provides no loss of meat.
The downside to this shot is the target is extremely small especially at greater distances. If the brain is not directly impacted it can result in a wounded animal that you dont recover.
NECK SHOT
An accurate shot to the neck will result in tremendous shock to the spinal cord and vertebrae which will result in the animal falling in it's tracks, with very little damage to the meat.
The downside to a neck shot is again the small target that you have to hit. If you hit low it will most likely only wound the animal and it will run off.
Additional Shots that we are sometimes presented with:
Straight On Shot
When the animal is facing you dead on and you can only see its front brisquet area. This shot is OK to take with a gun but not with a bow.
Quartering Shot
Quartering shots whether it be toward you or away take terrific accuracy as well as guesswork, but can be pulled off by an experienced gunperson or archer.
Running or Walking Animal
Always attempt to stop the animal before shooting. You can whistle(my method), use a grunt call etc..
2 Shots that simply shouldn't happen...
Rear End Shots and Through Thick Brush- just don't do it!!!
The Heart/Lung shot is my choice because there is more vital area available to me and more room for error if my shot is off by a few inches. The animal may travel more distance, but the trail is usually easy to follow. Finding that pot at the end of the rainbow aint bad either, the build up and anticipation of tracking and locating the animal is very primal.