The Lethality Of The Diaphragm

[Izzy]

Im stubborn by nature, including when advised to shoot critters broad sided. Ive always been a fan of the behind last rib to the offside shoulder and have never lost an animal with this shot. Straight broad side, yes I have lost a few with compound bows and a couple of trad deer.

          On the cross through, sharp, quartering away shot, the diaphragm is usually compromised. At least thats my intention and part of the reason Im taking the sharp angling shot. Does it lead to suffocation as the lungs are not operating well because of it being punctured? Again, I have never lost an animal that has been shot this way and wondered if its just coincidence (usually both lungs and heart punctured too) or that it adds to rapid death. What do you folks think of the shot and how much does a punctured diaphragm contribute to recovering a big game animal? Id love to know what you veterinarians think (or know).  

[JamesKerr]

I have shot a few deer slightly quartering away a bit too far back and got liver hits that also punctured the diaphragm and got one lung. None of these deer went over 65 yards and most died in under 40. In my opinion it is a truly lethal shot because without a properly functioning diaphragm no animals including humans lungs can function properly and cause the chest cavity to expand. This leads to rapid suffocation and death.

[frassettor]

I actually prefer the quartering shot over any other shot. I'm with you izzy, I have had better blood trails with quartering away shots. I will be watching this one, good questions here  

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Just to clarify, you will shoot an animal broadside if that is the only shot you get... won't you?

I like the slightly quartering away angle as opposed to the hard quartering away angle. I just don't see any way possible to get both lungs and the heart on a hard quartering away angle shot?

I always look for slightly quartering away with the near side leg forward. If I hit where I am looking, this shot does not puncture the diaphragm but it renders the critter dead in a matter of seconds.

I also believe the slightly quartering away angle gives you the most room for error when you happen to make a bad shot.

Bisch

[Ric O'Shay]

I believe the quartering away shot has long been the preferred shot angle simply because it aligns multiple organs.

[Sean B]

Yep, I prefer a slight quarter. That diaphragm controls the breathing.  I've had deer go much farther with broadside heart shots than shots that include the diaphragm.

[Izzy]

I will take a straight broad side but prefer the angle that goes through everything.

[RC]

I like quartering away shots simply because I can shoot for the "middle" and have a whole lot of room for error and much less chance of a shoulder encounter with the low pounds I shoot.I will not wait if the critter is broadside though.RC

[jonsimoneau]

I've hesitated to say the same thing Izzy but my experiences mirror yours. I like those really sharp quartering away shots. The kind where you put the arrow behind the last rib. The first time I did this it was an accident. The last five or six times I did it on purpose. None of the deer went very far and most went down in sight!

[Orion]

I think you hit it on the head RC.  Quartering away gives one more room for error.  I'll take either one, of course, if given the opportunity.  When I put the arrow in the right place, broadside or quartering, I've never had them go too far.

[Fletcher]

I think the big advantage to the quartering is that it cuts a longer path thru the lungs making for more damage and quicker blood loss.  Poking a hole in the diaphragm makes for a leak in the chest cavity, but so does a hole thru the hide fwd of the diaphragm.  At least the hole in the hide leaks air in and blood out.  A hole in the diaphragm is easily blocked by internal stuff and won't really contribute to the blood trail.

[lt-m-grow]

I think a slight quater is great, but so is a broadside shot...

I say that because they are both lethal shots and it is hunting...not shooting.  Seldom do I get what I want when hunting :-) and I advocate take what you get.

If there is a problem with a quarter away shot it is that the animal is usually gone past you and this will be your last chance.

Hunting to me is more about increasing chances not leaving it to the last chance...  Picky I know, I just worry sometimes that newer hunters will limit their shots too much.

[ron w]

A heart shot deer can run a long ways, a deer that can't breath don't go far!

[pdk25]

I promise you that the hole punched in the diaphragm is not what is causing your improved results.  A healthy animal can function with just one lung and the hole provided by a broadhead will not completely destroy the function of that hemidiaphragm.  Any improved results are from other factors in play.

[Knawbone]

The quartering shot is statistically a more lethal shot. As RC stated, it makes for a larger kill zone.And as Jonsimoneau said, in behind the last rib is a dead deer. I also like a going away shot for the fact that the deer has a harder time looking backwards.Iv' never lost a deer when shot at a hard quarter. I do however dislike putting an arrow threw the gut if I can help it. The last two deer I shot with a trad bow, I shot brood side threw the heart. They didn't go very far either. I will take whichever kill shot is offered.

[awbowman]

I believe that reducing the function of the diaphragm may cause the deer to lay down quicker, hence shorter tracking jobs, but it is the blood loss of the vital organs that killed the deer.  

No doubt though, a hard quartering shot from above exiting in front and low of the opposite leg will leave a heck of a blood trail.

Bottom line is take the first lethal shot you get, at least that's my line of thinking.

[pdk25]

I guess I should explain further as well.  The size of a hole put in the diaphragm by a broadhead would be similar to that of a small congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which can be without symptoms sometimes.

[joe skipp]

Izzy...90% of my bow shots (from the ground) have been quartering away. That's how I setup my natural blinds, wanting that shot.

I have never lost a deer with a well placed arrow quartering away. I lost 2 when my arrow hit a tad too far back and found them the next day. Coyotes ate good.

Broadside shots from the ground are tough but probably more lethal because of the wider kill zone and more room for error. You can be off 4" and still make the kill but 4" off on a quartering deer could lead to problems.

Rhinehart offers a full size deer where you can pull remove part of the chest and it exposes all the vitals. We use it for Bowhunter Ed classes. Really opens your eyes where your arrow will travel once it enters the animal. Also remember the deer reacts to being hit and this will alter the path of your arrow.

[Izzy]

I can see exactly what your saying Pat as far as the hernia example. Im sure a lot of the short recoveries Ive seen from that shot are from the length of the wound channel through the lungs,heart and possibly the liver in some instances and the diaphragm just happens to get hit. It is also a bone free zone which may help if only slightly with penetration.