I think kenetic energy and broadhead type should play a role in this decision. For example: I have 74 ft pounds of KE. It may be acceptable to take that shot if using a fixed blade broadhead. However, with a mechanical broadhead with a 1.5 inch cutting diameter I wouldn't even think about it. What is your KE and what type of broadhead are you using? If your KE is on the low side forget it...noneed to think about it any further.Ask yourself those questions along with everything else listed here and you should be able to make a better decision. If you still decide to take the shot (with low KE) only your circumstances will change your decision for future shots.

I have taken this shot 3 times, the result is 3 dead deer with no tracking! This low percentage shot you all are talking about, I dont get it. You cant hit a 2" target straight down? Plus if you do miss you are going to catch 1 lung. How many of you will take a quatering away, much less a quartering twards? I will take a straight down in a heartbeat, especially before that 30 yard quartering to shot! Just like anything elst dont shoot to far forward, make sure you know where his legs are.

That means absolutely nothing to me. Targets do not equal game. Big difference between the two.

I don't want to catch one lung. I want both oror nothing at all (well except heart).

I'd take a quartering away shot, but not a quartering to shot.


Congratulations on your kills. But, I wouldn't have shot.

Bob you lost me on the target coment, I understand it is game but doesnt it still have a target in the side of it (i.e behind the shoulder,4th rib). Quartering away is a very HIGH percentage single lung shot also, there is the chance of a heart, but then again there is the same chance on a straight down shot also!

As for kinetic energy I have no idea what I'm shooting, can someone help me out?

ProLine Sniper set to around 55lbs (I have a very short draw length, approx 26.5")
Arrows are 2213 aluminum with 100gr Wasp fixed blade broadheads.

As for waiting for a broadside shot I have a stand at the edge of a very small clearing (10 x 35yrds) in pine/cedar grove. A good trail runs the length of the clearing. If deer come from behind me into the clearing I'm fine, but if they enter from the front my choices are; quartering to, straight down, or don't shoot because it gets thick real fast anywhere out of the clearing, thats why I posted the question.

Thanks for all the input.

Clear out shooting lanes...simple as that.

I'm with Tee jay,I also have taken this shot 3 times and watched all three deer walk about 20 paces and fall over. All 3 were dead within 4 to 5 minutes of the shot. Complete pass thurs on all 3 with lots of blood on the ground. I don't aim for the spine I aim left of it and picture the heart as my exit . To each his own but I say it is one of the most lethal shots there are.

tschaef,

To calculate your KE. Go to a local shop and shoot your bow through a chronograph. Get the average speed in fps. Then have them weigh your arrows. Take these two numbers and plug it into the KE calculator on www.goldtip.com

To find the calculator,hold your cursor over theproducts link...it should be at the bottom of pop up window.

I haven't, and won't take the shot that we're discussing, I like to keep the odds in my favor as much as possible, BUT I have two friends that have tried it and both failed to recover the deer. Both got complete pass throughs, one used mechanical, the other fixed. Both had great blood trails to start with, but both blood trails faded to nothing, or so little that they could follow. They both tracked nearly 1/2 mile, and then did grid search from there. Neither recoveredan animal.
Both were relatively new at bow hunting, and they learned the hard way, that from now on, keep the odds in your favor, or pass on the shot! Why chance it?
Congrats to those of you who the shot worked for, BUT odds are that it will fail you eventually!

i do not take this shot and select hunting locations that provide broadside or slight quartering away shots instead.