Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I have a confession to make - I'm addicted to hunting videos. :( Every week I make a pilgrimage up to the Bass Pro Shops and always manage to come home with a new DVD to watch. So far this year I've picked up Drury's Whitetail Madness 8 and Dream Season 8, as well as the first season of the Dream Season TV Show, Kisky's Whitetails Taking it to the Extreme 5, Wild Outdoors Most Wanted, Primos Truth 12, and now Primetime Bucks 9.

They're all great productions with a lot of really good footage in them but I've been very disturbed the the amount of deer being shot in the neck. At first I thought maybe it was just a fluke - an error in judgement - a mistake, if you will. But after seeing at least 4 or 5 shots that I can say were purposely taken either directly at the neck, or quartering in front of the shoulder I just don't know what the !#@% is going on here. Did I miss the boat somewhere when the great Gods of bowhunting came down upon us and said "Go ahead and shoot deer in the throat, it's okay."?

So what's the story here? Am I seeing more of these shots just for the sake of having video footage to show people, or are there more and more people who honestly think this is a good shot to take?

Discuss.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

i am not saying this is a good shot at all but one time my shot was off and it in the deer right in the neck it dropped right ther and died within a few seconds. but i highly doubt that happens often. as for the videos im not sure what they are tryin to do

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

ik idk i luke the chestheartlungs etc but ik people who say they shoot them in the next

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

What?

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Without seeing the video's I am assuming we are only talking bow. IMO that is definetely not a shot to purposely take with a bow. alon gwith that would be a frontal shot, head shot, and quartering to shot.

On another note, I saw an elk taken with a bow this week on the Outdoor Channel. It's funny how they edit out the second shot and only say what a great shot he took.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

That great Allseason. :D:D:D:D

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I know a lot of people that shoot them in the neck with a rifle, but I agree, not a good bow shot at all. I am a big fan of Michael Waddel, but in one of his shows he shoots a quartering too deer in front of the shoulder, like in the chest, almost head on. After that I too started seeing a lot of those kinds of shots being taken. I don't like them too much either, but in their defense, it apparently does work.
Justin, maybe we should start up a hunting videos anonymous. I, too, have a problem. I am addicted to hunting shows.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

A neck shot is not a good one to take in my opinion. I have noticed some videos loosening the reigns on some quartering to shots, but not a flat out neck shot yet. Some people will argue for neck shots all day long, I am not one of them.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Do you guys think the hunter on the video is pressured to get a kill. Maybe that is why they are taking those shots. I don't agree with those shots either just trying to figure out why someone would do that.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Ever since each hunter has had his own set of standards and ethics

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I'm sure the hunters are getting some pressure to fill their spot on the video.
Question for you Justin, was that the only shot the hunter could have taken or were the lungs/heart exposed?

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Awhile ago there was a gentleman on this site stated that he taught his daughter to shoot for the neck. I posted a reply about that not being a very good shot, and the response was that is an acceptable shot in the Texas bush. You people that hunt in Texas whatare your thoughts on this?

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I'm in. Everytime I leave Gander Moutain I have either looked for new videos or I have got another one in the bag.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I have shot 1 deer in the neck with a bow, It severed his main arteryand he didn't make it 30 yards. Is this any differant of ableed out than the heart/lung shot? I also know a guy who strictly shoots the neck (gun hunter). He says it breaks their neck everytime and theydrop right in their tracks.I guess my arguement is "if it is a clean shot and a fast kill, then what's the differance, the animaldidn'tsuffer either way." Ok, let me hearyour disagreements, would like the opinions pro or con.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

The only deer I shot in the neck was with a 10 Ga. slug gun at 12 yards. the head and body were taken a way from the spot in two pieces

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Or lack there of.

IMO this is not anethical shot with a bow. Too much can go wrong and the odds of wounding and not recovering an animal are much greater with a neck shot then they are when shooting into the bolier room.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I took my best buck with a throat shot but guess what.....it was not intentional. Adrenaline and an unseen small branch between the buck and I resulted in a very lucky hit. I am old school guys and gonna give it straight as I was taught and still see it. Taking a neck shot atbig game is stupid and is definately not what bowhunting has been in the past nor should be in the present or future. Think about how small the kill zone is in the neck using a bow and arrow.Guaranteed that the odds on making a clean kill taking a neck shot are much less than taking a shot at the heart/lung area, mainly because the vital zone is so much smaller.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

ItNEVER EVER entered my thoughts to do so.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

the accuracy with a modern compound bow is the reason these shots are being taken. great accuracy, long ranges, power, mechanical broadheads, carbon arrows ............ everyone thinks they can squeeze a 38 yards shot through the brush and into the neck/body of a huge buck on video

theres your answer

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Generally speaking, it's the only shot available. Whether it be because of the forward angle of the animal, or vitals obscured by brush/trees/etc. From what I've seen they generally happen when the hunter is at full draw and the animal either stops or starts to get spooked and it's the only shot they've got. I kind of picture them going "Well it's now or never, I better take what I've got and hope for the best". Although I have seen one or two taken on fully relaxed deer who, in time, probably would've offered a good shot opportunity.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I wouldn't do it with a bow, just doesn't sound like a safe bet. I'm pretty picky about my shot placement because of my low power set up. I want a relaxed deer with a broadside or slightly quarting away shot. If I don't get it the deer gets a lucky day pass.

Now with a rifle or my muzzle loader I would probably do it. I haven't yet, I usually go for the lungs even with a rifle. However if it was a situation where I wanted the deer to drop right where it was and I was fairly close and it seemed like an easy shot I would do it. From what I have seen it is pretty effective with a rifle. They transfer enough energy that it normally drops them right where they stand. If your hunting a small chunk of private land this is desirable sometimes. Or if there is a fence near by.

If I was trophy hunting I don't think I would do it with either. Especially if you were thinking about a shoulder mount. I wouldn't want to damage that area any more than I had to.


Video hunts are not as much fun or as easy as they look would be my guess. I am sure they are under a fair amount of pressure. They have money on the line, not just their time. Not to mention it is not just them by themselves. It is a whole production sort of thing with one or more camera and someone to operate them. Plus they can't just shoot when they want. They have to make sure the camera has gotten enough footage of the animal and that the deer is in the right position to get it on film as well as make a good shot. And that there is adequate light to film. Also remember, the view you see usually isn't the same view the hunter has.

I agree though, I still see some stuff I don't like. I mostly watch the Real Tree videos. I like them but see stuff I wouldn't do from time to time. Like cracking off rounds from a rifle at a running deer. I have seen that more than a few times and I don't think it looks good. But that is just me I guess.

Paul

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Mastevt, the problem with neck shots with a bow is as stated after your post that the vital zone is very small compared to the heart lung area. Granted if you hit either of the veins or the spine the deer isn't going far, but the catch is you have to hit them first. The odds are greater that you will punch through without much damage. If you go through teh wind pipe the deer will die but it will take a long time. If you go through the muscle odds are it wont die at all and that is what will most likely happen. with a rifle its a whole other story. There is so much shock that its gonna kill the deer cleanly even if it does't hit anythign vital. I personally have shot 2 deer with neck shots 1 was with a muzzleloader and she dropped like a rock, It was the only shot i had and i knew if i hit her she was mine and if i missed oh well she will live another day. The other deer was with my bow but it wasn't intentional. I pulled the shot alittle and my arrow hit her mid way up the neck, thank God for a 2" cutting diameter hammerhead from rocket as it allowed me to take her cleanly cuz the outside edge of the blade cut her vein dropping her a short distance away. But its a shot I wont take with a bow.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

In just the past few years, I have had to pass up a shot on my own property at a huge 9 point (at 17 yards) because he was quartering sharply towards me. The season before last, I held at full draw for over 2 minutes while an absolute BRUTE of a buck stood 20 yards away, unobstructed by brush, directly facing me. I could have taken a neck shot on either of these two and been absolutely sure of my ability to hit there, but with bowhunting, the chance for something to go wrong is just too great.

The neck does have a couple areas that will put a deer down quickly, but there is much more area that will simply inflict a big wound on a deer that may or may not kill it . . . but probably not where you'll find it. I have killed one or two deer with neck shots, but I didn't aim for the neck and hit it by accident. I have also lost a magnificent buck years ago because of an errant arrow that hit the neck instead of the chest lung shot I was aiming for. That same year, my brother-in-law had the same thing happen to him--he never found his buck either.

Don't ever aim for the neck.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

thanks for the input Bandit, as was my shot, a mistake that turned lucky. I would rather shoot the typical broadside too, however others out there who are alot more advanced and better shooters than I certainly am, may consider a neck if were the only shot available, and they were confident of doing it, I guess it would depend on the person and his own ability to make the shot in confidence.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I wouldNEVER shoot one in the neck with a bow. However, If I have under a 100 yard and standing still shot I willALWAYS shoot one in the neck with a rifle.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

You didn't miss anything Justin. These idiots making film forget they might be making an impression on the unschooled. We teach ethical, good, reponsible shots selection in hunter safety and Bowhunter Ed until we're blue in the face. It's all undone by one ill advised shot from one of these "EXPERTS". You would think they'd act responsible and just not publish it, but nope, in their effort to prove what great white hunters they are they print anything. Sometime they work and a lot of times they don't. We NEVER see the ones that got away. They never show us taking a bad shot will more often than not lead to a long chase and usually a lost animal. If they take the shot 3 times and get one down on film, well heck... "Let's print that one".[:'(] And in their efforts to be PC and have every other show a kid show or a woman show... well I tell you, I've seen some bizzarre stuff. I remember one(this gal that's now a TV hunt show host with her husband. She tried about 4 times to pull the bow back and someone helped her pull it back to make the shot. What in the heck is up with that. Some of these people have to go through more contortions just to come to full draw. Good thing they're hunting tame, penned or nearly domestic stock over feeders as the deer in my woods wouldn't sit still for such folly. OK, I've had enough. You didn't miss a thing Justin. They're just whackos.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Justin said the neck shots were all effective, game recovered. All these others that said they missed aiming at the lungs ( and that,s a huge miss ) and hit the neck said the deer fell right there or didn,t go far at all. So is the neck shot effective? If I get a once in a life time shot at a monster and all that is exposed is his fat neck, he,s going to get a Beman ICS 400 thru it. You guys all no how hard it is to get a trophy buck. Is it the best shot? NO. But it sure sounds like it is effective.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

It can be effective IF and that if one giant IF, it hits the right spot. Theres a lot of guys out there who hit the neck and NEVER found thier deer.

The size of the buck should NOT determine the quality of shot you take.

You should pay more attention to your own signature.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

i dk when it started but ik people who do shoot them in the neck i personally like the femoral artery in the hind legs:Djust kidding i aim for the chest..

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Rybo, Many guys shoot for the lungs and miss to. Just like the guys mentioned in the previous post. If you don,t know where you arrows are going than you need more practice. I could shoot a tick off the end of your nose and would love to try it. I didn,t say I would wing one at his neck and hope that it hit the right spot. I know where my arrows are going. Sure the wind could blow or I could hit a twig, it doesn,t matter where you are aiming that can happen. FYI. I have never shot a deer in the neck, but I practice the shot on my buck target often. You might need a 12 inch circle for a shot, I dont!

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Just what I was putting together. The debate states it one way but the evidence so far say's it another. I doubt I would, even if it was a monster, then again I'm not sure what is being called a neck shot. If it's a shot in front of the shoulder but directed at the vitals, I just might. That is a large area and if you can't hit that you should not be shooting. I could easily hit that with the head turned away. Just the neck though, I'm with the others that leave that for a gun, although I prefer the shoulder, especially when the land adjacient is off limits.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I was thinking the same thing.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

datamax

These folks who are taking the neck shots ,would do it if a trad bow was the only thing available. The compound bow isn't responsible for stupidity!


MOTOWNHONKEY

Unfortunately ,for the animal , some day you'll fully understand what your signature means!

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Stick to the subject.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

This deer found it to be most effective.

Not mine but I was hunting with the guy who shot it. He hit a branch and got lucky.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I still don't know what he was doing shooting at a yearling....at dark....at 35 yds:(

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

MOTOWNHONKEY, I don't mean to be disrespectful but use the key next to the ENTER key when you want to shorten a word or givethe worda .possessive. If your comma is meant as a joke I apologize in adavance. As for videos showing neck shots I think they need to say it is not a good idea for a bow kill. I must first say I love Drury Outdoors videos. But on Whitetail Madness 8 Mark Drury reprimands an amateur team for taking a quatering to shot. Though I believe that is not a wise shot it was lethal in this case. Then on Dream Season 8 Mark Drury shoots his biggest buck of the season with a neck shot. The problem is Mark Drury doesn't say anything about this being a mistake or a bad shot. Mark is a pro and thus has the repsonsibility to say this is not a shot for the average bow hunter.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I don't know when or if it has. I passed up a 160+ ten point many years ago at 15 yards because he was cockeyed head on. I can think back and ask myself why didn't I pop him but it wasn't the best shot and I did the right thing. Smaller deer I don't have the same respect. Then again if one isn't in the right position I'll just drop one of his buddies that offers me a better shot. There are just way too many deer out there today to take a bad shot. It'sa hunter's paradise.

There is nothing worst then tromping through thickets and up and down hills looking for your deer let alone trying to drag it out. Hunt residential and do the property owner a favor.

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

Hey mr4pt

Is that a really small deer or does your buddy have extremely long arms?:D
That arrow looks longer than my bow!

RE: Since when did shooting a deer in the neck become an acceptable shot?
 

I own a video of Stan Potts shooting a buck that goes 215" or something like that...........it is freakin' HUGE. I thought it was gonna be neat to see him take that buck until I saw the footage. When the buck came in he came in fast and just "appeared" on camera.......Potts got audibally rattled and you could hear the buck fever coursing thorugh his veins. The buck didn't like the looks of the area and I would say he was gonna be gone in another few seconds. Potts must have thought the same thing because he couldn't hold off any longer. He shot the deer right through the neck..........it was so bad that I remember saying "OH MY GOD!!" aloud when I first saw it. The buck bolted and then they cut to some stupid footage of him much later in the day saying he was on a "Good" blood trail. They found the buck (who knows what happened in between that horrid shot and the recovery) but worst of all is Potts really made no beef about the shot and kept saying that you just can't let a huge buck like that walk and he said many times........"I took the best shot he gave me"

What a disgusting sight and like has been said already..........no wonder so many pinheads out there take dumb shots and let the size of a rack wash away all their common sense.