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.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

If I was confident in making the shot I probably would take it, but I have passed on that shot before because it didn't feel right. One thing I would be interested in knowing, what was it looking at? I have seen deer go alert like that because another deer, sometimes a nice buck, is coming in. Did you look to see what they were looking at? I've also had one do that and it be someone walking through the woods, missed a buck because they spooked it.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Dmurphy317, yes I did take a peek above the deer to see,but I didnt see anythingin the field in front of it. I sayabove because where the yearling was the ground drops for about 20 yards then slopes very gently up through the front of the next field. There could have been nothing in my line of fire that I would not have seen.

The first thought that crossed my mind when I saw him go on alert was maybe a hunter was approaching. This is on private land and we, those of us who hunt it, let each other know the day before if we plan on hunting, but you never know when plans may change. So that is one thing I checked before taking the shot.

Very good point though.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Yes-Know your equipment and your ability.If you are confident,and everything is perfect,as you described,shoot.If you have a bad rest or are a little shakey,pass.I have shot a number of deer in the head,and never missed.I have also passed on any where everything was not perfect.

Charlie

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

yep I probably would have, well maybe I wouldn't of, it would of really depend on me at the time. I've shot a large# of deer in the head and by his grace I've never failed to have them not know they were dead until last year, head shot a doe, broke her jaw, head shot again she got up and went 10 yards and piled trying to get back up, laid one in the neck and she laid still the cotton picken scope was off by about 2", it would of never made any differnce in the bread box I was sure of my gun, the scope, the load, guess it means we are all subject to have murphy come in to play every now and then

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

IF I wanted some venison, I sure would have taken the shot!!

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

have and will again....but it was with my mauser in 3006 with a 3x9x40 on it....herd of does came out of the drive running right at me first drive...figured id take some meat early and make sure i have it.....there was one particularly large doe that stuck out of the group...i wanted HER and only HER....stopped them from a run....all froze.....the big ones vitals were behind a tree! i waited a few seconds and yelled at them....i guess my voice echoed off the hill in the background and she looked backwards...put the crosshairs between her ears and dropped her like a rock....like you, i knew i could do it no problem...50yds is where i zero my mauser because i do alot of close range deer hunting and am always putting the bullet between brush to make the shot....she was froze and not moving....i knew she was dead...when she flipped over i was only surprised to see the speed she went down with....i get one within 15yds with the flintlock ill take the shot...but thats open sights and lock time to hold steady on.....i say congrats to you.....aim small, miss small!! im a believer in that!

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

"guess it means we are all subject to have murphy come in to play every now and then "

Don't go blaming me, I didn't do it. :)

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Yes, I would. Good job.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

Omegalover,
"Yes" and I echothe wordsabotloader used CONFIDENCE in yourself and in the equipmentequipment you use.
I am also a bowhunter and I shoot just about every day. I took this same shot years ago,on a doe that was bedded 25yds. from my stand. I had waited all eve. for a buck that never showed. Just before it was time to get down from my stand, I decided I would fill my doe tag. I had a clear shot at her head and the rest is history. I would not tryto make that same shot with the equipemnt I'm using now.....recurve instinctively. I know my limitations and stick to them. I would never recommend that shot to others, but it can be made under the right circumstances. I think it's highly wise to wait until a higher percentage shot is available.
After reading your post, I was surprised to read that most would take this shot. I would have bet otherwise and lost:(
Congratulations on your fine shot and your confidence in getting the job done;)

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

been hunting with my .50cal hawkins for 35 years and i dont feel confident to shoot in neck or head.i always shoot behind shoulder. season is over here today in pafor muzzleloader late season.i saw a total of 9 doe and 1 nice buck for 3 weeks of HARD HUNTING here in pa. i used to see that everyday, now many days i dont see a deer.i only saw that 8 point 1 afternoon.he wasaround 150 yards and that was a little to far and never stopped walking. as for 9 doe, i had fun practicing on their shoulders and squezzing trigger.boy, i was weak on arms this year,got to exercise more, ha. well, hopefully the in-line hunters will not come in next oct. and kill off the doe i saw these 3 weeks in a 5 mile area i hunt. i actually saw more coyotes than i did deer this year,i also saw NO FAWNS at all.coyotes and hunters are taking their toll on little fawns now. i hope hunting is around in future here in pa. but it does not look to good, take care all.

RE: Would you take this shot?
 

How are you going to shoot through the back of a deers head and only shoot off his jaw. Gimme a break guys this shot was great. Cant see how this was a bad shot either you miss or the deer never hears the gun go off and hits the ground. IF its too high he misses to low and he hits the back of they neck which is also a good shot.

I was suprised you even questioned this your above reasons were perfect to take this shot.