I always aim for the shoulder. Drops 'em!!!

I spend every available minute of the fall hunting, and have for over 30 years. Before we had more options, in the southern tier here 12 gauge slugs were the required weapon. I have heart shot a totally unknown # of deer. Even with the devastating 12 gauge slug, the deer would be guaranteed to run a good piece: even if dead on its feet, quite literally. The heart is very low in the cavity, and with small margin of error (similar to a brain shot) it is easy to miss forward or under. I also like to eat the heart. Why ruin it?
A high (actually just behind the shoulder) takes out the lungs, shocks the spine and instantly drops em, while still leaving margin of error. The same shot placement works darn nice on bears too.

I don't like to mess up meat and don't like to track deer. The last 8 deer I shot I had one head shot, two behind the shoulder shot and 5 neck shots. Both behind the shoulder shots were late in the afternoon with very poor light, they ran about 50 yards and the other six didn't run a step..

I also don't like to mess up meat, but use a 30-06 so its quite difficult.

I will do a neck shot (DIRECTLY) behind the head. generaly breaking their neck/spinal cord and instantly dropping them.

If its a large deer with a nice size neck, i will do a heart/lung shot as i do not eat heart. Which will also drop them where they stand, unless i use the 12gauge with a pumpkin ball aka Slug. that does not come apart, so therefore they probibly will run about 30-60 yards untill they bleed out.

Depending on where I am hunting at depends on what weapon i use.

I started the post and have enjoyed the response, and these are the same answers I have received over the years, different people/same answer, I really think the answer is that it is a relatively easy shot and if lucky the deer will drop quickly, but I have seen many deer hit in the shoulder and not even slow down, and any of you who have hunted for any length of time have seen the same, whereas a heart lung placement they are down on the spot or with in a few yards, I have always encouraged shot placement, and have dispatched most of my deer with one shot, and am disappointed if more than one is needed. I can't remember anyone in our group who have dispatched a deer with a single shot to the shoulder. if it is the only shot you got, Well., OK, I understand,, but if afforded a heart lung shot it is the shot to take, as to it being a hard shot, Heck, you got a "pie plate" target, not a hard shot at all. I cannot disagree the neck shot, that will tip them over in a hurry, but that is what I consider a tough shot, but again, if it is the only shot you got, well,, you know your ability, Good Luck Doc

Any deer I've shot in the neck has also dropped right there. But that shot isn't my first preference because of the margin of error being smaller than a body shot. Usually I make the neck shot in closer and if the neck and head are the only things I can draw a good bead on.

Good experienced hunters can take this shot many times (like your grandfather) but it's not a shot I'd recommend to just anyone.

I've always avoided the shoulder shot...just not comfortable with it (but I know it works for some). The shoulder shot also risks ruining more good meat, imo. Behind the shoulder is the best high-percentage spot of the deer. It's the biggest kill area and there are several vitals in that area (heart, lungs, liver) that will spell a fairly quick death if any one of them is hit or even nicked.

Well said, A little low "Behind the shoulder" Doc

I too shoot 'em right behind the shoulder but never had them fall on the spot.They never went to far and I always recovered the deer.
When you say "a high shoulder shot" exactly where are you aiming? Do you have a mininium caliber you recommend ?

I aim at the fron shoulder and I've killed about 20 to 25 deer and only two didn't drop in their tracks and those where with a a muzzleloader. I took the shoulder shot with a crossbow and the deer ran off with an arrow sticking in it. Other than that I use a 30-30 and it always gets the job done.

I use a 30-06 with 165 gr Nosler Partitions and if I put one through the boiler room and/or the shoulders they almost always drop in their tracks. The few that have ran, none have gone out of sight. I am personally going for shoulder shots now. I hunt a small parcel and can't afford to lose them off the land.