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What’s the Best Shot?
By Bob Humphrey
Shoulder or vitals, a well-placed shot should result in a clean harvest.
QUESTION: I’ve always been taught to aim for the vitals on a deer. Last year I went down South where some of the locals talked about a shoulder shot and how it’s better because it drops the deer on the spot. Is it a better shot, and where should I aim?
ANSWER: I can’t really say that one is better than the other, but both the vitals and the shoulder are good options if you can place your bullet on target (shoulder is not a viable option for bowhunting).
A deer hit in the heart or lungs will die but may travel some distance, possibly up to 200 yards, before expiring.
When properly placed, the so-called shoulder shot should hit an area called the brachial plexus along the spine where several major nerve bundles intersect. The shock of a so placed effectively paralyzes the deer. It might be a better option if you’re a good enough shot, or are hunting an area, like a smaller property, where you don’t want your deer to travel far after the shot.