I usually aim for right behind the shoulder, about 1/3 of the wat up, for the top of the heart/aorta. A miss in any direction of up to 6 inches still produces a killing shot. I have used the high shoulder shot several times when I had a solid rest, the deer was close, and I wanted to drop it in its tracks for some reason (close to a briar patch, etc.) I won't shoot a small deer through the shoulders. I find that you will lose the meat from the entire shoulder on a smaller deer.

Will