Quartering towards although not ideal is far from low percentage.
Really. I guess I would consider a quartering away shot and a broadside shot on a calm deer high percentage. If I'm not 100% sure I can get both lungs or heart without having to go through heavy bone (possible arrow deflection, or penetration problems), it is considered low percentage.
As far as the deer alertly looking at him, deer are always on the alert and many of us have been busted drawing our bows before, but he was anchored and ready to shoot and the deer was standing still.
A deer looking at you has you pegged. And I'd have to say that there are a lot of different levels of a deer being alert. For example:
A buck following right behind a hot doe.
A standing deer grazing.
Two bucks fighting.
A doe quartering to you directly looking into your eyes.
Important to you because in your opinion it was a"low percentage shot at an alert deer" and you want Rockytop to know that.
Not just my opinion. Trust me. Did you happen to attend any Bowhunters Education Courses?
I was not in his standbut Iam intelligent enough to know that a brief summary of the eventsis not enoughcover all of the little details. Would I takethe shot or advocate others to do so is a little silly to ask since I was not there and the information provided is minimal.
That is why I specifically said to you in the original question "from the information given". Didn't want any assumptions made. So actually, your reply to me seems a little "silly".
How often do you get a perfect broadside, standing still, unalert deer to shoot at in the deer woods?
Pretty much every year. I would also add quartering away. But, to tell you the truth, I don't need to have a deer in my freezer to survive. And if I did, I may think differently. That is why I asked the question to Rocky. IMO, people who are hunting because they need to may have a bit different intention the the "normal" sportsman. FWIW, I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a slight problem with is the person that calls themselve a sportmanwho have received mandatory educationbut still purposelyand willinglymakes bad decisions just to put game down.
In leaving this thread, I'd recommend and welcome everyone take another look at these two links and read the full page. This is one of the few true "Authorities" on the subject. I would alsowelcome anyone who feels the information given on this site is inacurate or outdated, please feel free to contact the Foundation. Really. The last date this was modified was I believe January 18, 2006. So it may be outdated.
http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/course/ch7_shot_strategy.htm
http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/course/ch7_setting_up_shots.htm