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My father-in-law saw a cowhorn this afternoon with most of his bottom jaw shot away...he couldn't get a shot at the deer to put it out of its misery....evidently someone wasn't quite the "marksman" he envisioned himself to be....

uncleC wrote:My father-in-law saw a cowhorn this afternoon with most of his bottom jaw shot away...he couldn't get a shot at the deer to put it out of its misery....evidently someone wasn't quite the "marksman" he envisioned himself to be....

See my post earlier in the thread. There aren't many that are the marksman in real life that they are in their mind. Yes, a neck shot often drops them where they stand, but even if it fails one in 50 times and you end up with the above scenario, is it worth it?

Remember, its an animal not a target. They bleed and hurt. It is our responsibility to put the animal down with the highest percentage shot that is available.

I just posted something similar in a thread on the Bull...with all the info we see and read about the incredible shots made by military and LEO snipers today, I fear that a lot of hunters are "playing" sniper with game animals....The deer my F-I-L saw yesterday was starving to death...it was skin and bones and trying to eat in a green patch to far down a powerline ROW for him to attempt a shot....Even if it's "just a deer" can you imagine starving with food all around you and no way to eat it....Taking neck shots to save a little meat is showing little or no respect for the animal when the above scenario is possible.....now, if a neck shot is all you got and you need the meat that bad, fire away........

I shoot in the shoulder and I would say at least 95% of my deer drop in their tracks. I only have lost one and that is because I shot low and hit the leg. Other than that the farthest I have had one run was maybe 40 yards and that was the one time I shot one head on in the chest.

uncleC wrote:I just posted something similar in a thread on the Bull...with all the info we see and read about the incredible shots made by military and LEO snipers today, I fear that a lot of hunters are "playing" sniper with game animals....The deer my F-I-L saw yesterday was starving to death...it was skin and bones and trying to eat in a green patch to far down a powerline ROW for him to attempt a shot....Even if it's "just a deer" can you imagine starving with food all around you and no way to eat it....Taking neck shots to save a little meat is showing little or no respect for the animal when the above scenario is possible.....now, if a neck shot is all you got and you need the meat that bad, fire away........

I agree 100% with you and i only take neck or head shots under perfect conditions.

I am now a fan of the neck shot...even if it is just a fortunate accident!

Drops them in their tracks!

I would like to try one but I'm still leery of trying a neck shot. I've heard too many stories about wounding them and having them run off. I have too much respect for the animal to put them in that situation. If i did try one it would only be under perfect conditions like having a solid rest, and having a doe within close range.

For neck shots I only shoot when the deer is on alert (neck stretched) or when feeding (neck stretched). I prefer alert stasis because I usually site my rifle in for 2" high at 100yds and I aim dead center. I use low recoil calibers like 243, 7mm08, 6mm and when I have a good rest and don't have to hurry a shot. Furthest shot attempted was 200 yds and resulted in 1 dead doe.