shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Hi,
I was studying some pictures of a deers anatomy and noticed that a shot above the shoulder looks to be a pretty good one. There is a bunch of arteries and a lot of lung to hit in this area. I acidentally shot a deer above the shoulder several years ago and hit it right in the heart (and apparently the lungs as well from these diagrams).

How come this is typically considered a bad place to shoot? If the deer's front leg on the shooting side is way back this looks like an ideal shot.Am I missing something?

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

It's not one I would intentionally try, the heart and lungs are and will forever be your best bet.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Here, above the shoulder is a low percentage shot...

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

With a high powered rifle, that's almost a perfect shot. It will cause death almost instantly....

With a bow? I would never try it..That scapula is pretty darn thick....

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Some of you folks got to be looking at different anatomy pictures than me. This is the bowhunting forum so I assume you're talking bow. There is a lot of room for error in that area. You want a lot of arteries and veins, they're right there in the middle of the lungs. The lungs are NOTabove the shoulder. If you're shooting from above like straight down, the center of them is behind the shoulder. I've NeVER heard anyone or read where anyone suggested shooting above the shoulders with a bow.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Here is the picture i am looking at

http://www.whitetails.com/deer_info/deer_anatomy.cfm

It looks like there is a lot of room and vitals in the v shaped area made by the scapula and shoulder. I could see how this would be a bad choice from a tree stand due to the scapula but if shooting from the ground then it looks like a pretty good shot if that's all you've got.

However, if the leg on the shooting side is back then what does the scapula do? I would like to see a picture with a deer in this position to see how much of the vitals the scapula covers up. I've drawn back on deer and they have spotted me in this position before. Anybody have a picture?

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Well hell boy. The rest of us don't call that "Above the shoulder. We call that behind the shoulder which is the sweet spot most of us aim for on a slam dunk. I thought you were saying, and I think others did too, above the scapula. I'll aim right there in a heart beat on a slam dunk. As range increases I'll aim a little off it(back a little) to enlarge the kill radius on a marginal shot.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I've always took behind the shoulder to mean behind the shoulder joint where the leg connects into the body. Does it actually mean that > -shaped area created by the scapula and shoulder. Which to me looks to be above the shoulder.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Some one correct me if Im wrong but I believe the joint I circled is the shoulder. Behind it is your highest percentage shot.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I would have to say the Shoulder is the Ball and Socket. Then the Front or Pin of the shoulder next below that and then the Elbow.. I shoot Up from Elbow and Behind Pin of Shoulder which Equals SWEET SPOT..

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

this year, im going to follow the legs up...once im out of the leg and just in the body im lettin loose. if i hit where im sending it, its a heart shot. if it ducks, im still lung. left and right i got a good couple inches to still hit lung. if i hit low i shave the leg and he aughta be fine. last year i made the mistake of aiming mid body. ontop of that he started to duck to run..arrow hit him way high above the spine and lung. aimed too high and shot at an alert deer. lessons learned

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Rob, I'd have to say that is one of the best diagrams that I have seen (and I have seen a lot). Although it does not show it (but I can still picture it from the diagram), a lot of people do not realize how low the spine actual comes down in the shoulder, neck area. Believe it or not the deer pictured below was actually spined. You wouldn't happen to have a skeleton diagram from that set would you?

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Bob, the whole series....

http://forums.mathewsinc.com/viewtopic.php?t=21358

It's also linked in the Recovery thread.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I shot a deer a little high and it went thru the scapula an grazed off the bottom of the spine and went downward from there. I was surprised how low the spine was when I seen that. That was the first time I realized it.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Thanks Rob.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I dont see the heart above the shoulder! I believe the heart lies very low in the chest cavity. Not sure how you would catch the heart if you shot above the shoulder. Just put it in the boiler room and you will be in business.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I think it is a matter of determining what we are calling the shoulder. Tell me if this is correct......The scapula is connected to the shoulder joint which is connected to the elbow. The three together make a > shape. If this is correct then I always thought the elbow was the shoulder. So I thought the best place to shoot it was right behind the elbow which I thought was the shoulder. Actually, I know a whole bunch of misguided people who think that way as well.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Mathews boy.... there is NO Ball and Socket on a deers front leg.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

now I am getting confused:D

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I'd say your incorrect. What your calling an elbow is what I call a joint that defines in combination what makes up the shoulder. The "shoulder" isn't defined by a joint, a bone but the combination of joints, bones, muscles and tendons not unlike our own. The front legs do not join the whitetails trunk (body) by a joint. Anyone that has skinned, and butchered a whitetail knows this. You can removed the front leg without cutting a single "bone/joint" but by simply slicing the mucles from the back/underside of the leg (shoulder). They do not have a ball and socket joint like we do.

The Scapula followed by the bone, joint and next bone joint make up the shoulder along with the muscles necessary to hold it all together and joins the leg/shoulder to the trunk. Above this is spine and air, through it and behind it is where the major organs lie.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Looking and the same thing you are, I's BEHIND the shoulder. Above the shoulder is the neck.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I don't understand your post blumpie

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Diver, I mean muf, just put ths shot behind the shoulder about 4 inches. It's really not complicated.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Can we get those detailed pictures for elk and bear? Those are very informative and I think would be a good sticky at the top for each animal.

Reid

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Cant post the images if someone could help. Heres the website for the black bear anatomy, skeleton, muscle, organs, circulatory and shot placments for different angles. If a bear is broadside make sure its closest front paw is in front of the far paw not behind.
http://www.theidahosportsman.com/bear%20anatomy.pdf

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

I think what Mufan is describing as "Above the shoulder" is what we call "Above the elbow". Yes the lungs and arteries and heart and all the goods are right their. I don't think he really means above the "Shoulder Blade"
like it sounds.

RE: shooting deer above the shoulder
 

Behind the shoulder for me with a bow.