Neck Shots
 

Just curious what people think about neck shots with a bow. I don't personally know if I would do it, I'm all for it with a rifle. But bow is a whole different ball game. What do you think? Pros, Cons? What's your opinion?

I don't think the heart/lungs shot can be beat. The neck shot can work but adds extra difficulty as its a separate movement other than the normal body movement. I also think its more likely to wound than a heart/lung shot.

iv'e shot deer in the neck the wind pipe to be exact and it is a killing shot and i mean quick !! i recently went elk hunting and ended up not taking home a trophy bull because i didn't shoot him face on in the neck at probably 5 yard !i waited for him to pass and get the quartering away shot and guess what no elk ! i don't think it's the best choice but if you know it's for sure i say take it !!!

If you hit the wind pipe or vertebrae it should be an effective shot. I still would prefer the broad side shot at heart/lung. I think the neck shot should be more of a shot taken when its what the opportunity only presents. Such as in muzzlestuffers case the straight on neck/center chest shot probably would of been better then the quartering away.

The lungs are far bigger so why take a lower percentage shot at a smaller target. If the neck is all you have, pass and shoot the buck at a later date but dont take risky shots out of desperation hoping it will work.

shooting a deer in the neck with a bow IMO is not an acceptable shot. Yes it is a killing shot but the chance of wounding, even fatally wounding the animal and not finding it is to great. If you can't put an arrow into the heart/lung area you shouldn't shoot at all.

I'll ditto Bronko's post.
Take a neck shot only if you are willing for your deer to end up as a poster boy on the anti's websites showing the cruelty of bowhunting...
Neck/head shots are not percentage shots - aim for the heart/lungs.

-fsh

As far as bowhunting, I want a double lung or heart shot. I am letting the deer pass it that opportunity doesn't present itself.

You all just reassured what I suspected. It never seemed like a great idea, but some guys swear by it. Good to know some different opinions. When you can throw a 3 inch group at 30-40, I see no sense in shooting anywhere but heart/lung.

No good , if you hit wrong a hurt animal.

I would NEVER take a neck shot!

HJ

x2......

Hj

i see some of you guy's are from the north east and i used to live in western new york and hunted in pa as well and you are correct on the neck shot debate and i used to live by that policy as well but here in arizona where i live now you might only see one animal your hole hunt let alone get a shot so if i can take a straight on neck shot i'm taking it especially on a big elk come on you guy's wont shoot a animal straight on at 5 yards ? obviously i wouldn't take that shot much further!!

I think nothing of it with either bow of rifle. If I am not comfortable that I can put the broadhead or the bullet through the heart-lung area I just pass.

i get what you're saying but all of us chance not seeing an animal. if we were taking a deer every time we went out it wouldn't be called "hunting".
it doesn't matter whether you're using a gun or bow, part of being an ethical hunter is to only take a shot that offers a clean kill and doesn't result in the animal to needlessly suffer because of a low percentage shot. regardless of who has downed a deer due to a neck shot it isn't what you're supposed to be aiming for.
my opinion, vitals or don't shoot.

On a rifle I like the neck shot, with a bow I personally wouldn't try it.
-Jake

sorry but if you you don't think you can make a five yard neck shot on a elk standing still maybe you shouldn't be bow hunting ! sorry i know this is going to start a pissing match but i'm going to say my peace on it !

Heart/lung. Broadheads kill by hemorrhaging, which means hitting where there will be lots of bleeding. Neck shots can work but are risky at best.

And just to add a bit of fuel to the fire (just for fun) regarding 5 yard shots - how many bow hunters really know what pin to use and where the point of impact will be?

Straight on is not the same as a side neck shot.
You are passing thru the neck into the vitals - still only an option for close experianced shooters.
From the side you are just hoping to get lucky.

So, this topic has come up a few times in the past. Your the licensed hunter take the shot you are confident in.

For the point of discussion though. The great vessels in the neck bleed out quickly. Perhaps quicker than a heart shot as the heart is still desperately pumping to keep the blood pressure up. Which forces the blood to drain quicker. If your arrow hits the heart it's not going to be able to produce an organized contraction cycle and the pulse will either slacken, or fail. Most likely fail.

Like any shot you have to take them as they come and evaluate them in the moment. If you don't feel you can make a humane kill hold off for a better opportunity.

You know what, I think I'll go shoot by bow. :o

Based on my personal experience, I will never intentionally shoot a deer in the neck with a bow. Last year, I had a big 10 pointer 25 yards away broadside. Took the shot, arrow hit the tiniest of branches about 5 feet in front of the deer and my arrow stuck him right in the middle of the neck. The arrrow was sticking out of its neck aobut 10 inches on both sides. He ran off maybe 30 yards, stopped and looked back, then took off again. I waited about 5 hours to go look. Went to where the deer stopped and looked back, and found a few small drops of blood. I continued down the path it went and never found another drop of blood. If you catch the main artery in the neck, or the windpipe, it can be a quick kill, but the margin for error is much too small. In my opinion, not worht the risk.

40 yard pin is my guess. For the record I stay away from neck shots.