I think I'm in the majority that take heart/lungs shots. I try to hit in the lower 1/3 of the chest tucked right behind the shoulder. That shot has never led me on a track longer than 40-50yrds that I can think of.

My dad on the other hand only had 1 leg so he wasn't able to track deer like a guy "w/two good legs" like he would say, so he would always break their neck right where the neck joins the body. I only remember him losing one deer and I think he hit somehting between him and the deer and who knows where it hit the deer. I only use this shot if it is the only option.

I agree though lemoyneI think too many lost deer are blamed on bullets rather than shot placement or range. I've talked to some people that think 'with a bullet as big as .50 if you hit 'em anywhere they should go down'.