The last 3 deer I have taken I have shot in the base of the neck. They drop like a rock!! This using a 12ga. slug.

The only thing I have to add to the decussion is that I' ve taken out clay pigeons (on the ground, not flying through the air obviously) at 200-300 yards with the 30-30 shooting off a crook in a branch in the summertime in Ohio. The only thing you have to remember is that in Ohio in gun season (December) it is COLD. Try making a precision shot when your teeth are chattering against the side of your rifle or shotgun when it' s windy and 15 degrees is a completely different proposition. Also, added to that is the fact you have thick gloves and 3" of clothing on just to survive your long, cold day in the stand. Taking a lower percentage shot of any kind other than a double lung shot in this instance is not even on your mind. Take the double-lung, track the deer, and call it a day. Just my two cents.

i can tell most of you guys haven' t killed many deer. I went back through my deer journal and out of 46 deer i' ve killed, 22 have been neck shots. Never had one run or kick. And as far as blood trails, well i haven' t had to follow one but according to the amount of blood thats already on the ground by the time i get to the deer it would be no prob tracking. I stand hunt only and getting a shot over 80 yards out of it is impossible where its so thick. 16 of them were with a gonic muzzleloader shooting a 430 grain bullet and 113 grains of powder. Would i try to shoot a deer in the neck offhanded........nope. Thats cause I know I haven' t practiced enough at it. I' m just saying i can' t, doesn' t mean someone else can' t. Now if its one i' m going to put on the wall I always aim behind the shoulder about middle ways up. In my experience it seems that drops them in their tracks better than the lower 1/3.

This will be my last reply to this particular thread.

For all the new hunters out there, those who get the least bit of buck fever, can not drive a tack within the range you are shooting a deer at or you are not totally familiar with the anatomy of a deer (not from pictures) do not try a neck shot, head shot, or busting a shoulder, shoot the vitals PLEASE for the sake of the deer and yourself! I know I can do a neck shot (I have done one), but I will never do it again because of the amount of meat wasted, and will rarely take out the shoulders, I shoot for the vitals period! If you have the skill and the knowledge to neck shoot a deer, waste all the meat you want to and go for it. Head shots 90% of the time are a very poor shot, and I will never take one.

wow , you can hit a quarter at 200yds. maybe you should try a dime next.....

Seems like there is some major contradictions going on here. Saying you will take neck shots---BUT---" if it is one I want to put on the wall, I' ll go for the vitals." Sounds like---" If I really want to make sure I take this deer---I shoot the vitals."

Can' t have if both ways. I go for the vitals and yes I have had to track some deer---but with a well placed shot---I have never had to look more than 75 to 100 yards. Why some will drop in their tracks and others run like a bandit I' ll never know---but the percentage shot is always the vitals.

skeeter, I guess you got a point, I cant imagine how he could run that far being busted up like that. Maybe got that way from the run, I dont know.

Mighty bold statement considering the company isn' t it??

Of the deer I have killed I have only taken 2 neck shots and both dropped instantly. The first was a 6 pt. chasing a doe and they were heading for the property line which was just 20yds. behind my stand. The second was a button head (thought it was a doe) that I jumped in a clear cut walking out. This shot was made in a split second. He stuck his head out and the neck was exposed, so I took it. Both deer were standing still and somewhat broadside and were 73 yds. and 94 yds. respectively. Day in and day out if you can pick your shot and don' t have to worry about land lines and etc. double lung' em everytime. I don' t like the heart shot and even more don' t like the shoulder shot but if the deer is over 100 yds and you have land line problems go for the shoulder but be sure you can make the shoulder shot. If you shoot to far forward you will wound the deer and it will suffer, also it may or may not die and you more than likely won' t find it. Main thing is be sure of your shooting capabilities and don' t go beyond them.

the shoulder shot would be the safest bet (presuming you are a young hunter like myself judging by your number of posts), but if the oppertunity presented itself and at a range of 75 yards, i would go for the neck shot