My brother-in-law shot a 4 pointer last weekend and hit it in the neck. The buck was sound asleep with his head partially blocking the vitals. He took the vital shot, hit it in the neck. The buck died in less than five minute and 50 yards. He said crap I must have jerked ( we had a strong wind in open country as well). The neck shot may work but you are doing a little more hoping than one would like to do. Just my take.