Teaching some new hunters

[A. F Medic]

I will be addressing "shot placement" on deer to the new hunters shortly and I wanted to see what the general opnion is on two questions. (New hunters will be using, 30/30s, 270s, and rest mostly .30 caliber). Using hunting ammo.

1. You have a deer directly in front of you (100 yards or less)) and he is facing you perfectly. Take the shot directly at the chest (where?) or pick one of the shoulders to break the deer down? This is the only shot you can get. Deer is backing up and not turning.
Let the deer go?

2. Deer is broadside to you in the open. Is there a "sweet spot" to shoot at? Shoot at one of the shoulders to break it down? Is there a spot where you will connect with the heart? Problem with the heart shot is that the deer will run 100 yards or more. I have had several do that.

Will be using an archery target that has the vitals on it as a visual aid......

Would enjoy any input I could get. I think I have answers for the questions but I may be wrong.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Broad side, I will draw a line from the back down through the legs vertical and cross it with a line through the center of the body from front to back. It'd about center of heart/shoulder/lungs. Yes they'll run, but if you aren't ready to track an animal, you shouldn't be starting this. The front shot is usually aimed just under his chin, depending on how much chest I can actually see.

Once I fire, I'll sit tight for 5 minutes and let him do what he's going to. Usually they don't go far. Once they lie down, they can't get up.

I never use stands and at best I'll use a rested shot if I can get one. Yes, I'm successful, yes, I bow hunt and use rifle...both iron and optic.

[jmoore]

With 30-30s, 35s, and lesser velocity type rounds, I recommmend waiting 15-20 minutes or more before approaching. Have seen a chest shot deer that a friend shot with a .35 run off after 45 minutes and go another 300 yards! Was there for all that fun. I generally shoot just behind the legs into the chest cavity just above the heart. Frontal shots, the same: centered up just over the heart. Have broken legs on deer before and had them still travel a considerable ways on the three remaining. And handgun caliber can't be expected to put them down immediately unless a CNS hit is achieved. A high velocity round that disintegrates the lungs has been very successful for immediate "no tracking" shots. Have been using expanding type 55gr .223 rounds out of a 20" barrel for some time now as a preferred choice, but only with sure shot placement.

BTW, the last two shots I made on deer from front to back were not stoppers by any means, but neither was with a round going much over 2000 fps. One was an easy track due to the huge blood trail, and the other almost resulted in the loss of the deer. Had it not been still alive 2 hours later and raised it's head I would have never seen it even 15 feet away. (300yds from the initial hit.). Oddly, the bullet bruised the heart on the way through, so placement wasn't the drama!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I usually shoot a 45-70 in cutover at close range. Not much experience at shots at longer ranges odd angles but very interesting discussion. Hats off to AFmedic (and any others) for teaching new hunters.

[A. F Medic]

browningautorifle,

I like the idea of using below the chin as a landmark. The kids will remember that. The crosshair approach should be easly remembered for a broad side. Pray there is no buck fever!

jmoore,

I forgot about waiting after you took the shot. Your approach is about the same as Browningautorifle. Wait time too.

I am hoping that there is another hunter wth them who may have to calm the kid down and help with shot placement....

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Pray there is no buck fever!

The trick is overcoming buck fever. My problem is it has been a long time sence I have seen a buck that was fever producing.

[WarPig1976]

Above all they need to respect the animal. Don't take a shot just to shoot, don't shot unless it's a clear shot. Know what's between you and the animal like branches and such and what's behind. Let them know the first animal they do kill they my have mixed emotions, nobody said taking a life was fun.

[gpw42]

Building on jmoore and Warpig's comments, teach them what to look for in the animal's reaction after the shot. Sorta gruesome, but it'll help them to stay the fever...maybe...

- humped rear end showing gut shot (better sit tight for at least an hour, in any weather except a snow storm)
- color/consistency of blood at the point of impact
- tail up or down?
- some rudimentary tracking and box search. Carry TP and/or survey tape!

All those came out of my bowhunting hunter ed course, in about 1985ish.

Good luck, and thanks for teaching the next generation!

Steve

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

- some rudimentary tracking and box search. Carry TP and/or survey tape!

Came in very handy (along with a couple of good flashlights) helping my friend's son track his first bow kill last weekend. I could not have been prouder had he been my own. Hands and knees thru some very thick brush. He made a very good shot though not much blood. He was very methodical and persistant and fully understood his resposibility to make every reasonable effort to find the animal.
Heres to the next genration.

[A. F Medic]

That will be a big help! I now have a written description(s), advice, and images! Thanks!