Deer anatomy question?

[Ostrorogi]

I dont know about drawings KSdan. I just have them and i posted them, in case if somewhone needs them.
If you ask me, spine should be located on the upper part of back, and only if anymal is really strong in musculature you get visial diference in position. But yeah if i check your picture and drawings there are for sure two big muscules too small on drawings.
Drawings can be wrong. Im sure that artist didnt skined animal to draw skeletion on them.

[KSdan]

Ostorogi-That is the problem though- the spine is NOT on top of the back, but comes half down the body as it sweeps down from the neck.  As that first pic I posted shows, if you shoot a little forward, centered on the shoulder you will CENTER the spine- as that shot I posted did.  Realize that the first pic I posted is a spine shot- deer dropped.

[Roughrider]

KSdan - agreed - the spine enters the front of the chest a little lower, and is just above 1/2 way up the body at the shoulder.  

Also, I don't think the lungs are quite that large, with some gap just under the spine, and a little more forward at the rear side - particularly if the animal is full of food or water.  Of course inhale or exhale, slight bend of the body, walking, standing, laying, etc, all cause changes.

i don't think the shoulder moves too much on an animal as it walks under it's own muscle power - feel your shoulder or your dog's shoulder as it moves about.

All I do know, is hits aren't always what they seem!