You don't know what we were talking about or what you are talking about. The windpipe and esophagus are right next to each other and on a frontal shot you hit both. I was with a poacher when I was a kid and saw it done with a .22 long rifle. That is the way he always did it, said the brain was chancy.

yes, and you take out the spine right behind them. This is what would drop a deer. Especially with a 22.

A 22 hole in the trachea would be like giving the deer a tracheotomy. The diaphragm would still pull air into the lungs, just through the hole and the mouth. The esophagus would only be a problem if the deer were trying to swallow food. Unless they were very hungry, they wouldn't starve to death instantly :D

The spine will drop the deer instantly. The carotid and jugular, very quickly. Esophagus and windpipe are just incidental injuries and would not be the primary cause of death unless it was from bleeding out or infection. Both not instant.

You should be ok as long as the ammo you use is jacketed and not just plain solid lead.

BarnesX .308 -
 

Like I said before, I actually witnessed it happen. You can walk up on them and the deer will get to its feet and run, but will only go two or three steps and drop. A neck shot in the bone and they would never get up. This guy told me it drops them every time and he had plenty of experience with a .22, although he did get caught years later and paid thousands in fines. I never used less than a center fire for deer, but if I had a gun that could not break the shoulder and drop that deer I would get rid of it. I have used a .223 and .22 Hi-Power and both will break the shoulder. You really can't go much lighter than that.

You can put an entry wound wherever you want, exit wound is a different story. My last deer I shot in high shoulder bullet came out half way up the neck. (7mm Mag) High shoulder doesnt directly hit vitals, but the bone fragments do with large caliber and do more damage than bullet. High shoulder is my choice on a trophy buck, drops 99% of time.

Shoulder shot is my shot of choice. Drops them in their tracks.

Don't ever go for a head shot! It moves too fast and you can never tell when! Heart lungs all the way. With a 50 cal bullet you should have no problems. I haven't at least.

Very true Barnes, thats why trachs are done sometimes in the ER to secure airways. Without damage to the lungs or a occluded airway the animal can still breath. No question about that.