Head Shots...is there a time

MichaelP · 11-23-2008, 06:24 AM

In the thread about thedeers jaw hanging, the shot gunners were basically tared and feathered with no understanding of what happened...bullet hit a limb, bad shot on a running deer, etc. My question is this, would the animal you are hunting change your opinion. I was watching under wild skies and he shot a hippo in the head in a river. I am not condoning any choice right or wrong, but what if you have a cape buffalo, lion, etc very close. A bad shot...or even a good one could mean your death, if the animal charges. Do you shoot for the head?

HuntingEd · 11-23-2008, 06:57 AM

Of course there is a time, it also depends on your weapon and target...

I use head shots a lot, when I predator hunt at night, put the crosshairs of my 223 right between the bright eyes. Of course I practice shooting it at night w/ my light set up just like when hunting. I can get a 4 shot group in the size of a dime at 100 yrds, so I'm confident.

Also for geese/ducks/turkeys I always use a head shot...

Vabowman · 11-23-2008, 07:22 AM

If my life is in danger....I will shot it wherever I can as much as i can.

OregonOutdoorDude · 11-23-2008, 08:03 AM

Sure!

SwampCollie · 11-23-2008, 08:50 AM

When it comes to buckshot and does late in the season here in VA... I prefer the head shot. Keep in mind, I don't shoot over 35-40 yards... most of mind are on deer standing stock still or sneaking inside of 25 yards... they don't go anywhere... and considering the size of our deer... we can use every little bit of extra meat yield we can get.

When it comes to rifles and deer hunting... ehhh... I've shot a few that way... but I just think that unless the animal is seriously wounded that there are higher percentage shots that kill just as cleanly.

Deleted User · 11-23-2008, 09:11 AM

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Cougar Mag · 11-23-2008, 11:01 AM

Head shot with a bow on big game..........never.

MichaelP · 11-23-2008, 11:28 AM

I guess I should have stated rifle. The guy who shot the Hippo took a head shot because that is all the was visable. Would you wait for the animal to leave the river and double lung it, etc. or smoke it right there.

magicman54494 · 11-23-2008, 12:00 PM

I shot 2 does in the head with my 30-06. I did it once because I was near posted land and didn't want the deer to cross over. The other one was, I guess, just to be cute. I believe the first one was justifyable. The second one was not.
The risk of wounding a deer and having them starve to death is too high in my opinion. I personally know of 2 deer who were shot in the head and not recovered. It's a sad situation.
With a bow-never!