the only deer i've killed was with a neck shot and i know people who exclusively use the neck shot. it all depends on your capabilities and how well you feel about it. it would take neck shots on close nonmoving animals. if i weren't going to take a neck shot i would probably take the high shoulder shot to put them down. with the neck shot the deer i shot dropped and so has everyother one that my friend has. it can work and work very very well. but like many people have said it can be a risky shot. if you aren't comfortable with the a neck or shoulder shot by all means go with the vital shot.