[Shawnee]

Put an "x" on this deer where you would place your bullet for a heart shot and an "o" where you would place it for a spine shot.

:)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/FiveO/ad3.jpg


:cool:

[Ridgerunner665]

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/Ridgerunner665/ad3-1.jpg

[NonConformist]

Its been a long time since I went hunting and I am not familiar w/ a 'spine shot' though I understand, so heres what Id do-

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/NonC/Deertarget.jpg

[Vern Humphrey]

The best heart-lung shot is right behind the front leg, about 1/3 of the way up from the belly. You can shade it into the leg itself, and break the leg as well -- that would be a good shot on an elk in rough country, since it anchors the animal as well as killing.

The spine shot is best directed at the shoulder blades -- makes a bigger target and more room for error.

The neckbones are nearly mid-depth of the neck, not high on the top edge.

[Shawnee]

Vern knows his stuff...

Here is the same deer with the wrapper removed. You can see the spinal column is centered in the neck and thus a great place to slip a bullet is right above the point of the shoulder or through the shoulders. The visible "landmark" that is key to finding the spinal chord is that shoulder blade. On a frontal or front quartering stance a bullet slipped into the "pocket: beside the shoulder blade is almost certain to take out the CNS and a shoulder on it''s way into the lungs - BUT - it still has to be more or less center (top to bottom).

You can also see the heart actually lies low in the chest - the lower third, at least, and an "above the elbow shot" (on this deer) would give the deer a heartache.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/FiveO/ad4.jpg

:cool:

[NonConformist]

Like I said, not familiar w/ that particular method. Ive always gobe for the x on mine. Nice to know though!

[Ben Shepherd]

Like Art says-
Shoot 'em in the white spot.

[rondog]

What about this one? I'm not a hunter, but I think I have an idea where the shot should go....

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/vacations/0000706-R1-020-8A.jpg

[Shawnee]

"I'm not a hunter, but I think I have an idea where the shot should go...."


Where on that Elk do you think a hunter should place their bullet ? :confused:

[Matt-J2]

Put one in his kneecap, and I'll bet he never 'forgets' to pay up again.

[rondog]

Well, I suck at Paint, but if I were to try for a shot.....

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/vacations/elk01.jpg

And I have no idea why my photo shrank.....

[JShirley]

At the x or slightly rearward. I can't draw worth a darn, so middle on the circle- if they're really close, I've found the groove where the neck meets the jaw is an instant lights out.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=85539&d=1222898856

[NonConformist]

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/NonC/Elk.jpg

[koja48]

Couldn't copy the image (I shoot VERY well; I compute on a basic survival/frustration level). Heart would be slightly below mid-line, almost touching the shoulder. Spine would be just below the shoulder blades. I shoot heart/lungs (and I suspect Brother Vern and I have been around "a spell").

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't know about being around for a spell, but I can remember when the Arkansas Fish & Game commission finally approved the atlatl. Up until then the only legal way to take a deer was by the "finger crooking" method.

[koja48]

Been around long enough & learned sufficiently, my Friend.

[Art Eatman]

Sorta long story. John's head-area shot reminded me.

I'd spooked a buck at close range, and Oops! my scope was on 7X. An ear, brown, more brown--and then brush. Grump. I figured he'd circle into the wind and uphill, eventually, so I went 90 degrees to his last-known direction and got crosswind of a saddle in a ridge about a quarter mile away, upwind from the scene of the encounter. About 20 minutes later he showed up.

When he stopped for a look around, I had an offhand shot of maybe sixty yards or so. Trouble was, he was in brush, and the "clearest" shot looked like shooting through a prickly pear pad that looked to be right next to him.

Bang. Plop.

So I head over to gut my buck. I go past a CLUMP of prickly pear, with five holes in five pads, all curving slightly upward and to the right. And another ten yards to Bucky!

But, one each dead deer. I looked and looked for a bullet hole and finally found it: Right in that little soft spot at the bottom of the ear. I figured that was exceptional dedication to duty for the Sierra 85-grain HPBT from a .243. Or what was left of the bullet, anyhow.

I'll take luck over skill, any day.

Art

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Now THIS thread, and the one on ruining your venison, are good and valuable threads with great info - thanks! Just wish I knew how to make my marks and re-post...I could probably figure it out.

[ltetmhs]

Just Kidding about the old "Texas Heart Shot" !! "

( although I know one of yall is about to tell a story about your great uncle Nestor who only shot deer in the ass and never lost one.)

p.s

I want to here them!)

[koja48]

I'd wait for the elk to turn a mite, then take it behind the front shoulder.

[Byte]

Yeah I'd be leery of shooting that elk through the ribs/sternum for the heart shot. He doesn't seem to be in too much a hurry so no harm in waiting for him to help you out a bit. He can't stand like that forever... Play it :cool:

Byte

[~z]

As for the elk, I gotta ask what is in the background? Almost looks like a trailer house. Think I'd figure that out first.
~z

[Shawnee]

The Elk photo does look like it might be on the golf course at Estes Park or maybe one of the parks on the north end of Yellowstone. But no matter - the images are just to show shot placement for the sake of discussion.:)

:cool:

[H&Hhunter]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y187/GTAllyn/elk.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y187/GTAllyn/deer.jpg

The spine lies much lower than most people think. Which is why a lot of spine shot attempts fail with a knocked out then non recovered animal.

[stevelyn]

On the deer I'd shoot for the fold behind the shoulder just above the joint where the leg attaches to the shoulder. If the range was under 100 yrds I'd clean his ears. Same on the elk. No sense in damaging meat when you don't have to.

[Decker]

looks liek Yellowstone park, old faithful maybe. Personally, i'd shoot the cow/calf laying behind him if you want something other than burger and jerky for the winter :) those 1.5 yo cows and spikes are about as good as it gets for table fair IMO.

But for a shot on that bull, as has been mentioned, be patient, the shot will present itself, and even if it doesn't, that bulls there to hunt another day, not crumpled up dead 2 miles away after a bad hit.....