Best shot placement for instant kill

[Whitetaillane8]

Neck shot

 

[X-Tennessean]

I agree with what has been posted but primarily for me where I am hunting and how far the deer is determines what shot I am taking.
When I was shooting the 280 it was always high shoulder, bang flop no matter the distance.
I have since moved to a 243 wssm and 7mm08 and have yet to flop one that didn't get back up with a high shoulder shot. Inside of 100 yards I will take the neck shot every time it is offered.

 

[beefydeer]

Neck

 

[jmf]

I've shot several high shoulder and they drop. I've shot several in the neck. They drop too. But ive never shot a high shoulder and seen one die immediately. Minutes yes but not immediately. These other guys much be shooting a larger caliber than I do. I have seen them die instantly with neck shot. I'd say the the best instant kill would be in the head but ive never tried.

 

[Rakkin6]

High Shoulder

 

[DeerMan66]

Neck or high shoulder and it's over.

 

[fairchaser]

I've shot several high shoulder and they drop. I've shot several in the neck. They drop too. But ive never shot a high shoulder and seen one die immediately. Minutes yes but not immediately. These other guys much be shooting a larger caliber than I do. I have seen them die instantly with neck shot. I'd say the the best instant kill would be in the head but ive never tried.

This was the reason I asked as I shot a doe a couple days ago high shoulder and she dropped but after 5 minutes I had to finish her off with another shot. Unpleasant for both of us.

 

[Spurhunter]

There is a nerve bundle called the brachial plexus that runs through the high shoulder area. It is called the instant off button in some circles.

This!

 

[MUP]

Sure a neck shot will kill them DRT, but it's a smaller area to aim for. With the HS shot, you have some leeway for margin of error, and still get a knockdown. To me it's still the safest bet, and I'll use it when there's a big buck on the line. Otherwise, I shoot behind the shoulder and end up tracking.

 

[swd]

Inside 75 yards, I take the neck shot. Never had a problem with one getting back up. I use 75 yards as my guide because it is the range I feel confident in my abilities for a smaller target.

 

[Madbowh]

I go for the neck. You get 1 of 3 things either drops them right then less than 100 yards, or complete miss. With a hp rifle more than likely they are dropped in their tracks. If I am bow hunting and it's 30-60 yards I go for the neck you will either miss or you will get that deer this is from first hand experience. I hunted with an old time that only bowhunted and only took neck shots. Think about the size of the neck and what's there, it's almost all vital and with muzzleloader or rifle the shock alone will drop them.

 

[Madbowh]

With this being said and others replies, anytime i spine a deer i put another round in them right away. Or a pig. If it is gun season i just use my pistol don't do that in muzzle or bow with a side arm they'll take your deer

 

[AECS]

Took a young doe last Fri, was going for a high shoulder at 250, shot was 2 inches back, high double lung, 30-06 when straight through, exit would was unremarkable. Dear dropped and died where he was hit. Took about 2-3 min to expire.

Once I made the walk, realized that at 250 yards a button buck looks alot like a doe.....

 

[fairchaser]

I've not heard any votes for base of the neck or just in front of the shoulder. This is surprising as I would have expected these over high shoulder shot placement. Any thoughts on these?

 

[rem270]

Agreed, punch the top of shoulders

Agreed.

 

[cbhunter]

I've not heard any votes for base of the neck or just in front of the shoulder. This is surprising as I would have expected these over high shoulder shot placement. Any thoughts on these?

I'm having a hard time visualizing the placement of this. Are you referring to a broadside deer or a head on "facing you" shot? My thought is its hard to shoot just in front of the shoulder on a broadside deer but maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

 

[Omega]

I've not heard any votes for base of the neck or just in front of the shoulder. This is surprising as I would have expected these over high shoulder shot placement. Any thoughts on these?

Probably covered by those that choose to do neck shots. I shoot toward the base of the neck, because that was the best margin of error. It doesn't move as much when the deer is feeding and/or looking around. The base of the head, right where the spine begins is much better as far as an off switch goes, but it is a much harder target to shoot with all the motion, one slight movement and it can be a miss, or even worse, a wounded animal that dies outside your search area.

 

[Joe2Kool]

I always default to the heart!lung area on quick, no time to think shots. Keeps it simple for bow, muzzy, gun But when I've got time to think and process it, the high shoulder shot is most effective at dropping in their tracks Not with bow though

 

[Deer Assassin]

my second favorite is neck shot
7 saum
see video

 

[Deer Assassin]

This was the reason I asked as I shot a doe a couple days ago high shoulder and she dropped but after 5 minutes I had to finish her off with another shot. Unpleasant for both of us.

respectively
I have never had that happen. Killed at least 250 with a rifle several high shoulder never had an issue with having to dispatch one with second shot.
now spine only ... yes
neck shot ...... once in a blue moon

only 100 % instant death dead dead dead is a brain shot preferably from rear .. I personally dont care for the margin of error