Would you take this shot?
 

Last day of ML season, late in the day, about an hour before sunset,the onlydeer I had to choose from were two big yearlings.

They both presented themselves in front of me for over 15 mins before I decided to go ahead and take one as I may not get another chance.

They had milled around from about 100 yards out to less than 30 yards when I took the shot. I bowhunt this stand and knew it less than 30, guessed it to be closer to 20 Yards. Winds were calm to nonexistent. Range finder after showed it to be 23 yards.

Being a meat hunter I popped him right in the back of the head, he never even twitched a muscle. If I would have waited I knowone or bothwould have presented a more traditional broadside shot.

My reasoning for the head shot was...

1) I had a steady rest

2) My Omega shoots 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards, at 25 they will all fit into or touch a quarter.

3) The deer had started staring at something. I saw himraise his head to near full height, ears go forward, and he went motionless concentrating on something. Somehow I knew he wasn't going to move a muscle for at least a few seconds.

4)If I do miss R or L then it should be a fairly clean miss and no harm no foul. If I miss up again no problem, if I am low the shot is straight up the neck and I should hit and break his neck.

I am usually a real stickler for shot placement, but at the time thought this is about as good as it gets. Under different circumstances I may have felt different and surely would not have taken the shot. IE...strong crosswinds, branches in the way, much further shot, etc..

Would you have taken this shot? If not why?

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Omegalover

It is called confidence - not reckless - if you as as confident about yourself and your equipment as you take the shot...

my 2 bits

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Yes, it takes when you know you have the capability, the confidence,and know the right spot for the shot. Lee

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Oh Yes - definitely - and for the very reasons you gave.
I have also taken them in the throat from a head-on position - that white patch makes a great target.
I used to know a guy who hunted from a ground blind and routinely got shots from 25 yards or less. He said the best place to shoot 'em was "anywhere in the eye."

IM jaybe :)

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

I've take the same shot a number of times. As already stated, your reasons were sound and you were sure of your shot placement. It's the person that has not practiced or that does not know their rifle and load who should avoid those kind of shots. Nothing worse then seeing a deer starving to death because someone blew the lower jaw off them.

congratulations on the deer. A nice young yearling has to be one of the best eating animals out there.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Yes. I took a button buck in much the same fashion this year.

Tom

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Myself, nope I wouldn't have taken it. My ML is a sub 2MOA too. But still, its in a woods situation and actually close up shots like that can be unpredictable.If you have it sighted at 100 yards with a scope, it will usually hit 1" to 1.5" low at 20 yards. 1.5" low is possibly tearing its jawout.When I was younger it meant more to meto harvest a deer. But now, it doesn't. Especially a doe.

I had the same situation in our early ML season. Two does came in and beddeddown for 3 hours. I had mycrosshairs onits head a few times, butI waited for the broadsided shot and got it. Also learned some patience.

I don't down you for doing it, just wouldn't do itmyself. Sooner or later, you willget a bad hit on one and regret. Maybe you won't. I know I get enough bad hits with a bow, I can't afford anyand there is no excuse with a gun of any sort.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

I agree with the shot in fact I was faced with the same situation last week end and I took it. There is no wasted meatr that way.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Yes with a few caveat...


[ol][*]Head and upper neck shots are one of my favorites under the mostideal and pristineconditions and always when I have a steady rest.[*]Never do I take a head or neck shot over 50 yards.[*]Most of the time whena head or neck is the only clean shot available. If a heart shot is available first, I will never wait for a head shot.[*]If I have already filled at least one tag, then perhaps not. But mabey.[/ol]
And...

I always know where the rifle and specific load I have charged will print at 25-50-75-100yards. I also have some loads that are out to 150 &200 yards and POI 125-150-175-200 yards for those loads.

Tahquamenon

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

No, I wouldn't have taken it, but then I dont even take head shots with a rifle. If I miss small, I may break his jaw and he would starve to death.