RE: shot straight down from the stand
I practice the shot and have taken it successfully. That said, it's not a good shot. I never had a problem except for a long track(and some very short ones)[8D] BUt, there's too many things can go wrong,... one lung, heavy bone etc. Most people aim too far forward on this shot and end up getting very little that's vital. Wait for him to move out away from the tree is best.