RoyalRack, I guess everyone has an opinion on neck shooting ,but I was really more interested in hearing something about a fifty cal. shotgun ,I've never seen one . Who makes it ?

neck shots are a reliable kill zone, but are you confident enough to make the shot is the question

Have to dissagree on that one Deer slayer. NECK shots are not reliable. Spine shot ARE reliable, but the spine is a relatively small target (maybe 3 inches across) which means that you have to hit within 1-1/2 inches of the aim point. Also, how many hunters know for sure where the spine is in the neck. If you miss the spine and hit the fleshy part of the neck, the deer will go down like a ton of bricks, but then may get up and run off. I have had this happen twice (in 35 years of hunting). I don' t even consider a neck shot unless really close range. Then I keep the gun pointed at the deer for a follow up shot for several minutes until I am sure it is down for good.

To answer the original question, I believe the deer may very well have gotten up and run off if it was not shot a second time. He DEFINATELY did NOT hit the spine. If he had the deer would have been unable to raise its head.

disregard!!!!

You shot a Doe Saturday? Where can you hunt spring time deer at?
My opionion is your second shot should always be your first.

The posting date on the original post was 12/30.

[:' (] OOPS, my apology, slap, slap, thanks for keeping me straight tx. Bobby

This is a topic in another fourm as well. In my very modest opinion, you should also shoot for the vitals. Bigger target, higher chance of kill even if you miss somewhat.

That being said, a neck shot may be all that presents. If you trust your skills, go for it. However, I wouldn' t want to lose one that I neck shot. Once a deer has been hit, I usually take a neck shot to put it down if necessary. However, it' s always at a really short distance.

P.S. I’m not posting these to get my numbers up ; I have been watching this board for a while as a guest and feel I have something useful to add to the conversations!

Well said Taxman. I don' t put to much merit in post count, but rather the quality of its content, I have seen some that has thousands and thousands of post, but they haven' t said anything. Bobby

In 35 yrs. of deer hunting I shot at the neck once and once at the back(spine), both hit home but not my choice of spots to aim for (all I had to aim for and the distance was about 25 yds.) The neck shot you took hit a little low likely taking out the windpipe, the nerves and jugular . You did right by putting another round into him to end his suffering.