Teaching some new hunters

[jmoore]

What the others said, lower left pic a big no-no.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../gun_sh1-1.jpg

The broadside and frontal POAims look OK, but the angling shot placement impact zones are a bit off to my eyes. Especially the quartering towards the shooter view. That'll end up being mostly a gut shot.

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

Excellent points, all. Threading the bullet through brush can be one of the most challenging aspects of making a good hit. It's a great justification for using a low powered scope, versus iron sights- trying to successfully "thread the needle" through the intervening vegetation. A brush hit anywhere except the last few feet is likely to do bad things to any shot fired except maybe a .50 BMG. Deer are plenty big, but those "holes" can be frustartingly teeny!

I like deer, and have certainly watched many with great enjoyment for long periods. Have even engaged in some short range staredowns with no harm to either party. It makes for great memories and rather less work.

The meat is also a favorite, certainly more than greasy cow!

[vintage hunter]

I was about to mention the same thing as JM regarding the quartering to you shot placement suggestion, gut shot for sure.
As for a head on chest shot, if I were coaching a beginner I'd strongly discourage such shots. There's only a 5'' or so spot where the bullet has to go in order to make a clean kill and a gnats whisker off the result will be a wounded deer that in all probability will end up dying a lingering death far from where it was shot. In fact I try to discourage myself from taking such shots but it don't always take. Here's a pic of the first one I shot this year, notice the red spot behind the shoulder. That's the entrance wound, bullet exited out the hindquarter. The deer was facing me head on and the crosshairs were dead center of it's chest when I let fly. It was very alert to my presence, I don't know if he saw the muzzle flash or was just turning to go over the hill but he turned that much in the time it took the bullet to travel the 100 or so yards to where he stood. It was raining pretty good that day and I consider myself lucky to have recovered him.
On broadsides I ''cross the T'', that is I place the horizontal line of the crosshair 4-5 inches below the hairline on the back and the vertical is lined up with the front leg. This breaks the spine and down they go, DRT.
Edit: After thinking about it some I'd try to discourage a beginner from taking any shot other than a full broadside until they learned to manage their composure. Patience is one of the most important lessons learned in this game.

[Aragorn243]

I agree fully with the point of impact photo for the side view (upper left) and frontal view (lower right). Upper center is too far to the left in my opinion and lower center might be a hair too far to the right.

As for when to shoot or not shoot, depends on the shooter. My 12 year old daughter shot her first deer at about 300 yards as it slowly walked along a fence row. Her second deer at 13 was about 150 yards and uphill. She was using a 6mm single shot Ruger. My younger daughter I would have never suggested she attempt either of those shots. She most likely would not have hit either deer. Typically, our shots are rarely farther than 50-75 yards. The two my oldest daughter shot were very unusual for us, both were field shots and we don't usually hunt in fields. They were targets of opportunity. With both I ensured she took the time to seat herself on the ground, get her knee up and take her time.

Waiting can be an issue where I live. If you wait, you may lose the deer to someone else. Sad but true. I've seen it happen, twice to me. No deer is worth getting in a fight over either so I just left them have them. For that reason, I do my best to shoot the deer in the neck. I don't recommend that to a kid however.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Have even engaged in some short range staredowns with no harm to either party. It makes for great memories and rather less work.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201929558177133
Speeking of short range thought some might find this interesting if a bit sad.

[WarPig1976]

No doubt who won that fight that's for sure.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

No doubt who won that fight that's for sure.

I just wonder why he stuck around. Still miffed at the dead competition? Curious about the crazy dudes who freed him? Just completely gassed?

[gpw42]

I just wonder why he stuck around. Just completely gassed?

Completely smoked would be my guess. Surprised though, that he didn't try to walk away - 2 guys that close had to be burning up his nose!

Steve

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Completely smoked would be my guess. Surprised though, that he didn't try to walk away - 2 guys that close had to be burning up his nose!

Steve

They said it was within the city limits and having hunted deer in somewhat urban areas I think they get somewhat (only somewhat) aclimated to human scent. Not that aclimated though. I vote gassed/smoked.

[A. F Medic]

I am going to tell them to take the broadside shot. The other shots will come later. Now, if I could get the fathers to cooperate!