Where to aim?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

scythefwd

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2008
Messages
3,603
Location
Manassas Park, VA
I just got a bow. Might consider bow season. Am I aiming for a double lung shot or am I aiming for a heart shot for the most effecient kill with my fixed blade muzzy broad heads. Since I will probably be in a tree, double lung makes more sense, but what seems right aint always so.
 
A double lung shot is a good shot. If a critter cant breath its not going to run far.
I really think it depends on the deer or critter shot becouse each one will react differently
But one thing is for shure shot placement is everything.
I was able to take 3 deer this year my longest tracking job was around 120 yds
my shortest was about 40
Another thought is I shoot a 70 lb bow a 30 in draw and around a 28 1/2 in 450grn arrow with a broadhead its running around 280 fps.
I have been able to get a pass through shot every time with this set up.
If you are just starting to shoot a bow try to find some one who will help you learn to shoot a bow.
Just my 2c worth.
 
Right behind that shoulder when they're quartering away is the sweet spot. Usually you take a lung and the heart that way. Even with muzzy's I never tell people to try and shoot thru that shoulder. some may disagree with me, and thats ok. I've been bow hunting for a while and this is what I do. Always aim for just behind the shoulder, even broadside, or even quartering to me I've always gotten part or both of the lungs. If its a close shot, and Im high up in a tree, i'll adjust my shot a little higher because of the angle trying to take lung and heart. It all comes with practice young skywalker. Any questions hit me up with a pm. Bow season will extend your season, and you'll see more deer than ever. You'll also learn more about real hunting vs lucky hunting that happens during gun in most states. Im from Indiana and opening day of shotgun was always a dissapointment to me. Good luck to you, what kinda bow you get? Im a martin guy myself. Pro Series Moab right now. Get on archery talk to for archery stuff, good stuff over there as well. Love the high road and that.
 
Last edited:
if your using fixed blades make sure your inserts for the broadheads and the fletchings all line up or you want have any shot consistancy to hit where you want. I am speakin truth. I hunted with muzzy's for years and killed many. Nothing wrong with the lung shot but I always aim for the heart, they want run far with no blood either and will leave a nice red trail if they run any distance at all. If you hit lungs high there willbe minimal bleeding for tracking. I have track some that left just a few drops that ran a couple 100 yards with pass thru shots.
 
ive heard that clocking the broadhead argument several times and to be completely honest i dont get it. I shoot 4 blade slick tricks with 3 fletching arrows. Shouldnt that fly bad? According to alot of people it should, but guess what......it doesnt. Anyone care to explain that to me?
 
I normally pick a spot in the lower third of the body. Whitetails have a tendency to drop when they hear the bowstring and can drop a full body width in less than 1/10 of a second. If they don't drop, you have a heart shot-if they do, you should have a lung shot. I have several heart shots, but many many more lung shots. Most of my bow hunting has been from tree stands, but enough spotting & stalking to provide a few success' but a lot more periodic humbling experiences.

I'm still old school. Zwickeys and 2219's...always a pass through and nice blood trails.

FWIW
 
I like the heart shot, and have x'd the heart on several deer and one bear. I've killed many more with lung shots. Both are highly effective. Unfortunately, poorly done, the heart shot can go just a hair low and become a miss. I agree with everyone else here who says to tuck in just behind the shoulder blade, about halfway up the body. A little high, you're still in the lungs. A little low, you're in the heart.
 
Pat, from what Ive heard the slick tricks are straight up magic...... I hear what you are saying, but I used to do that once and a while on an arrow that kept being a 'flyer " and it usually helped but I was using a 3 blade head and 3 vanes. IMO if your bow is tuned correctly they will all fly pretty good, some better than others
 
You will need (and want to) take a bowhunting safety course prior to getting a bow license. There will be alot of discusssion on shot placements. Heart- small target low on the body, easy to miss. Lungs- much larger and forgiving target, and they fall just as quick.
 
The whole thinking of lining up the blades of your broadhead with your fletching will only get you close. I shoot 3 blade Monotechs 100grain. Hardley any of mine are lined up with fletching. By adjusting your nock with very very slight movements I have 6 hunting arrows that will all hit a playing card each and everytime out to 65 yards. NO I will not take a shot at an animal at that distance but its nice to know that my arrows fly that true.

I personally prefer a slightly quartering away shot often times I can take the liver both lungs and the heart in one motion. My longest tracking job this year was 60 yards. After taking a Auodad, a couple hogs, 3 yotes, and two deer 5 animals taken with the same arrow and same broadhead. All shots were complete pass throughs. Longest shot 27 yards.

On a quartering away shot I aim just behind the opposite shoulder. Verticle height depends on angle that I am shooting. In my mind about 1/3 of the way up if possible for a steep angle shot perhaps a 1/3 down or less.
 
Remember to shoot to the far shoulder. Visualize the trajectory THROUGH the deer. I have had very few shots come out exactly as planned, even at 15 yards or less. I shoot a relatively slow set up. My bow is 6 or 7 years old now, and there are much faster bows on the market. Mine was fast at the time, but I opt for a heavier arrow and a fixed, two blade broadhead. Knowing your distance is an absolute must if you get out farther than one pin distance (with my bow, that is about 25 yards, max). I took a deer at 72 yards two years ago, but I knew exact distance and had practiced at that range. Also, before I get slammed, that distance is not unusual where I hunt. Open country bowhunting is different than anything back east. On closer shots where the deer may react to the shot, remember this. Aim LOW. Almost every deer that I have missed jumped the string and I missed high. I have never missed low when I knew exact distance. Bowhunting is a way of life. Enjoy it.
 
Wow, I just played the interactive game on bowsite. It's pretty cool. Schthefwd, that's as good of a site as any to get on some forums and learn a lot. I don't know how active your state forum is, but mine is busy.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top