Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Would you do a head or a neck shot with a firearm? I am just wondering what's your feelings are on this subject. I like the heart, lung shot best...but I have taken a number of neck shots as well. All the deer fill rightthere in thier tracks dead.

So is it for you?

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Personally i like the heart/lung area and would never attempt a head or neck shot. Ive heard a story one time where a guy shot a buck in the neck and dropped him. They thought he was dead so they started dragging him out. He only got knocked out by the shot. He woke up and went crazy then ran away. Turned me off of head/neck shots. Im not against them though. If you can accurately shoot the head or neck go for it. Ive heard they are lethal when done right.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I would rather have a heart/lung shot, but I've shot them in the neck and it does just as good. I'll take what I can get.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Against

Paul

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I'm aiming at the boiler room given the chance but will do an occasional head shot. However, headshots can be pretty ugly.

Haven't done a nech shot in a long while.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I take neck shots everytime if i can. They are quick kills ive never had to track a neck shot and all the meat is good. Just my opinion.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I shoot behind for the lungs or heart because it leaves all the meat untouched. I know alot of people dont use the meat in the neck, but there is alot there and it is good for hamburger. I think it would be a waste of a hunk of meat to try and shoot them there. I have shot them in the neck before and they dropped dead, but I wouldnt try and shoot a deer there unless It was my only shot.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Totally against head shot. Neck shots only in the right situation. I'll wait and stick them in the boiler room.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

#1 shot for me is the heart/lung shot. I have taken a few high shoulder shots to drop them right where they stand. Personally I don't take a head or neck shot. If a hunter can do it in complete confidence then to each his own.......It's not my style though.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I'll take what I can get as long as I am sure I will put the animal down. I have confidance in my ability, judgementand equipment.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I've shot a number of deer in the head and neck, but under most situations I'll take the shot behind the shoulder.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I've never attempted a head shot, I have taken a few in the neck. But I prefer taking the heart/lung shot.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Like most others here,not my preference.I would never take a head shot,a neck shot only in absolutely the right conditions and only if it was all I had.I want to transverse the chest cavity or a high shoulder shot.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Im against head and neck shots. I will go behind the shoulder everytime...

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I have always taken heart lung shots. Just wait for the right shot or pass.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Same here.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Where do you shoot your small game? Head, or chest? Truth is, most guys cant make that head shot on a deer and in the field is nowhere to practice. A jaw shot deer isnt pretty.But ahead shot at 20 yds is alot like shooting him in the lungs at 200Yds. Just because the front sight post is on his head doesnt mean anything.Theres alot to a deers head that isnt going to kill him.You have to shoot for his brain, not his head.And that will result in a quick kill.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Well...I shoot squirrels in the head...With deer it depends...If over 75 yards or so and I need to drop, I go for the high shoulder shot...If over 75 and don't care if they run a bit, the lung shot...If within 50 or so and I have a good rest and my scoped .243, I might take a neck or even brain shot...I let the situation dictate each situation...

btw...On a neck shot, don't hold high on the neck, hold where the neck joins the body, when the deer lifts and lowers its head, this area stays stationary...

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I was told by a guide on a recent Black Bear hunt that a neck shot with the bear quartering towards you was an instant kill with any rifle- and it was. I just shot one in June with a hand loaded .325 Swift A-Frame 220gr. and she fell hard in her tracks. You just need to make sure the quarter is right so the bullet exits in front of the diafram. That particular shot tainted a lot of meat because the bullet went clean through the neck/ shoulder area, through her chest cavity and then through her belly area, exited and re-entered her hind leg where I recovered the bullet. I would take that shot on any big game, that being said, I would still hit behind the shoulder broadside if given the chance.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Every Doe that I've shot in my Adult hunting days has been at the base of the Neck. But, I've never aimed at the neck of a Doe past 50yds. I must say that it's nice walking up to that Doe in the same spot that you shot her at.

For bucks I always aim for the boiler room.


So I guess that would make me FOR IT.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I was never taught to take a neck or head shot. Some people swear by them though.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

if im doe huntin im only gonna take a neck shot inless its outside of 65-70 yds....smaller buck an hes real close might crack a neck shot.bigger buck behind the sholder everytime

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Most of my shots are high shoulder shots. It drops the deer instantly and doesn't damage a lot of meat if you use a good solid bullet.

I shot a doe once in the neck with a 130 Ballistic Tip (.270win) at about 35yds. It wasn't pretty. The bullet hit the bone and it was like it exploded. The only thing holding the neck on the body was a 2'' piece of hide. After that, I didn't try another neck shot.

I've tried heart/lung shots, but don't care for them either. Last year I shot a buck at 35yds square in the heart with a 130gr. Federal Fusion out of my .270win. The deer ran a good 50yds before falling. Here in SC, 50yds in a lot of cases will cost you your deer.

So, there for I like the high shoulder shot. I shot a doe and another buck last year with 150gr. CoreLokts, with a high shoulder shot and neither of them moved a foot. Most of the deer I've shot high in the shoulder have went down with their legs folded under them, just like they laid down to bed and never moved again. Not even their nerves.

However, if you shoot too high, in some cases I have seen. It will break the deer's back, but not kill it. It seems that about three inches or so below the back is the best place.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

1 shot straight through the heart.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Personally speaking formyself, I have no problem attempting either shot..
I have made these shots time and time again with 100% success rate firstshot success rate..
And I personally have no problem continuing it..
However I have been out with others and have seenTHE worst kills ever made..
NoI definately do not recomemended it for just anyone to do..
And I don't encourage anyone to attempt make it...

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

i would never take a head shot. i would attempt a neck shot if the conditions were right and i was confident with my ability within the shot range.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

When I was home on leave back in the 80's, my old roomate took me out to his place to hunt. I popped a basket 8 point at just under 100 yards with a head shot. At the time I was shooting over 1000 rounds per week at work and the shot was easy. Now I'm older and don't practice nearly that much, so I would never take that shot. Now,I wish I had not taken it then, because it ruined a good phot op.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

It depends on the situation for me. My dad shot probably 99% of his deer where the neck joins the body. Only lost one and that was because he hit a sapling between him and the deer. I would prefer to take a heart shot but have no reservations of breakin' a deer's neck.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I prefer a boiler room shot, but would take a head / neck shot depending on the situation... Short range, etc.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I see the heart/lung shot the most sensible. I'm not against a head shot, but I find it somewhat disrespectful. I'd have no problem blasting asmall game animal'shead off, but deer and other big game is just differnt. Also, shooting for the head leaves almost no room for error.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

At the risk of being judged I will admit that I have taken several deer with neck shots. Always close range. A few yrs ago I shot a good doe at about 25yds with a .50cal muzzleloader right in the white patch. She dropped on the spot. Then I noticed she was kicking up all sorts of debris from the forest floor. Stupid me I didn't put 2 and 2 together. I approached her and poaked her in the hind with my muzzle. Nothing, soI cut her throat and let her bleed for about 5min or just enuf time for a smoke. Then proceeded to drag her to a clearing to gut her. I got about half way to the clearing and she stood up on her front legs and kicked me. Not much left in her so luckily I wasn't hurt........ she is now affectionately known as the 'bobblehead deer', she went 20yds and her head rolled off to one side and fell over. As she was getting up I smacked her in the back of the head.......... Done.
But I sure felt bad. Its not a shot I would take again w/a muzzleloader. .30-06 thats a different story. And by the way I was using 100gr of powder and 245gr ball-et's.
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RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I myself only take neck shots.The only reason is to not damage any of the meat.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Why would any hunter be against head or neck shots? If you hit it in the vitals, head, or neck, they'll die just the same. As for me, I shoot the vitals because of a larger target area, and if its a nice buck, I'd rather not damage the cape.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I think there is a lot of difference between a head shot and a neck shot.

I am against a head shot (too small a target and could cause a lot of suffering if it damages only eyes or jaw/mouth area).

Don't have big problems with a neck shot and I've heard people that find it very effective (some thread on here about where on the neck to shoot), but I've never taken one. Never had any problems with a well placed shot to the lungs.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

With a solid rest within reasonable range either shot works.Most people lack the self control to not shoot in less than ideal circumstances.A spine shot to the root of the tail between the hams ruins little to no meat and flattens deer as well.Not advocating the above for everyone but quite do able.........Harold

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

id rather have a heart/lung shot.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

As long as it brings em' down it's fine with me.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I would take a neck shot but never a head shot... tried that once when I was a young and learned enough not to do it again....

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

Against, no matter how perfect the conditions.

RE: Are you for or against head and neck shots?
 

I prefer heart or a good double lung shot. I know many people who take neck shots and are succesful with it but its not for me. I dont like that area. I stick to what Im comfortable with because its worked for me for years. I dont really like head shots either but depends on the hunters abilities. Again Im not comfortable with it. The chances of a head moving during the shot are good and things can be bad IMO.