front on chest shots (deer)

[jhg]

Considering the number of marginal shots already being made on broadside deer, by bad chance or by lack of skill, no.

Considering the other factors already mentioned- no.


Joshua

[Scott Teaschner]

These questions always get me thinking. Some times these topics can really stir me up. I am so glad to see the majority say no bad shot. But does that mean some one will listen  and not take the shot if the oppertunity should appear? I think this. There will be some people that will not be convienced and may take the shot. But what if they did a little more reasearch before hand? Instead of just asking a question and looking for oppinions or a answer. Now dont get me wrong asking questions is great and a valuable way to learn. But we can do more. How about this next deer you shoot dont gut it right away. Skin the whole deer first. Look closely at the front shoulder blades muscle and bone. Look at the brisket and the neck. Take off the front shoulder blades notice how things really narrow down. If you can get a look at how all the vital organs lay. Notice where the cavity ends and becomes muscle and bone and grizzle. I think are minds eye tricks us and what we think it is may not be what it is. I try and look at these things every time I shoot an animal just for a refresher. If you do these things you probably could answer the question yourself. I think you would also be more comfortable knowing exactly what your doing instead of just chanceing. I hope this can help.
Scott Teaschner

[Rick Perry]

IMHO ......... one of the worst things about deer porn on TV is that they show LOTS of poor shot selection . When someone with limited experience watches a well known hunting hero taking low percentage shots they are very likely to do the same .

  It makes me ill to hear a well known hero  hunter comment "I had to take the shot "  ................... well ...... NO YOU DIDNT !!!!! ............ there is always the option of letting the deer walk ,which is what a true sportsMAN would do .

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by John Scifres:
I shot a deer head on with a deer slug once and it missed by 1" right, bounced off a bone and careened along the ribs and ended up with a very ugly scene as the deer required several hasty follow ups as he ran off on 3 legs.  That convinced me never to try it with a trad bow.

I had a similar experience.

1st time dropped a buck in its tracks with a rifle.

2nd time I had to finish the deer because I jerked the trigger and had the same experience as above.

I Will never take that shot again with any type of weapon unless I am defending myself or trying to finish off something.

[amicus]

You should be able to do something to make them turn. Place a some brush or dead wood or some scent to make them move to increase your odds of a broadside shot.

Gilbert

[GreyGoose]

I'm with the herd this time, against this shot. I would  avoid not only with any bow, but also with a  firearm.

[markd]

Trust me NO do NOT take the frontal shot. After 20+ years at this I have succumbed to the temptation of the frontal shot a few(very few) times. It has NEVER worked! I am ashamed that I ever took it much less gave in and tried it again years later thinking things might be different. They weren't. I shoot 62# bows. I will NEVER EVER again take a frontal shot from the ground or from a tree. If it works it is just buzzard luck!!! JMO

[lpcjon2]

Frontal shot on a deer hhmmm! Only if its standing upright at 10 yrds and you have a laser sight on the bow. Not wise at all for you or the animal.Move the stand 90 degrees left or right and save you the trouble and mental debate.JMHO

[Jedimaster]

It's not a shot for me.  Especially in the south-eastern woods where I hunt.  I could see someone feeling differently out on open prairie but I'd still believe it's not for me.

[joe ashton]

na wait for the broadside/quartering away shot.. patience it will come.....

[LongStick64]

I had a nice doe come in head on at twenty yards, in my book No Shot, not even if I had a compound with me. You should of just enjoyed the show.

[Rob W.]

Shot a small buck facing me from a teestand when I was younger. He looked at me and pawed the ground. When he did I put an arrow over top his shoulder. He ran off and I heard him crash. There was not one drop of blood on the ground. The arrow went full length of his body and came out the opposite side back leg when I rolled him over. I won't take that shot again.


Rob

[JDinPA]

I had a huge 12 pt in Iowa at 4 yards head on looking at me in the stand. I passed on the shot. I probably would pass again and again.
But I'm always thinking about that one.

If I had that same shot with rifle, I would take it.

[thunder1]

Not with trad gear. Did it once with a compound bow . Lesson learned the hard way.

[PaddyMac]

I'm with Joe A. Wait it out. A head-on deer close enough for a shot is not a static situation. It's going to change position sooner or later and unless it happens too fast, it's going to change into an acceptable shot.

I shot a doe that was walking right at me once and she stopped just about 10 feet away and stared at me and then barked a couple of times and ran off but only a few feet and stopped broadside. As she turned to go I drew and when she stopped ... thwack. Sure, she could've kept going but didn't.