Headshots? Take them or no?

[835]

Wide open..
a good thing to do that is fun as well is throw a 12x12" gong in the truck and shoot it after your hunt. 100-150-200....

[Foxton Gundogs]

Hey All
Took a head shot on a four point mulie once . Blew his bottom jaw right off . He never went down. Tracked him four miles down the mountain before he bedded down.Never again for me boiler room every time

My point exactly, Good for you for both speaking the truth and following up on the consequences, Hat is off to you sir.

[wideopenthrottle]

Wide open..
a good thing to do that is fun as well is throw a 12x12" gong in the truck and shoot it after your hunt. 100-150-200....

yes of course it is important to practice under controlled situations but also when under field conditions as well.

[biggyun68]

Heart and lung shot on big game for me because I follow a veterinarians advice, and have had a bad experience with a head shot:

Probably the best book on big game kill shots written by a veterinarian and African Professional Hunting Guide instructor: Dr. Kevin Robertson https://drkevinrobertson.com/
The Perfect Shot: Shot Placement for African Big Game: https://www.amazon.ca/Perfect-Shot-P.../dp/1571571639


Dr Robertson is on record with saying the most humane and best kill shot is to hit the top of the heart and both lungs: by taking out the top of the heart you take out every major artery and vein supplying the body, and the most blood vessel rich area of the lungs. The loss in blood pressure is so acute that death and unconsciousness is almost immediate.

I have not read this book and I have included it for reference because a quick look at the author seems the guy knows what he is talking about. Craig Boddington: https://www.craigboddington.com/

The Perfect shot: https://www.amazon.ca/Perfect-Shot-N...GHWSV0JTH0EGKP

[Daryl]

I've had this conversation with friend who said he prefers a neck shot, when its available. Theres somewhat more room for error, with minimal meat waste. Some marksmanship is still going to be a big factor, as well as range and the amount of force your bullet is going to deliver.
Less risk than a head shot, but until I'm that sure I've got my sniper skills that sharp, I'll still go for double lung

[Bugle M In]

I find that all my shots end up 3" or so behind the shoulder (I don't want to ruin any good meat if possible, so I don't aim right into the shoulder),
and fairly low, maybe the bottom 1/3-1/4 of the animal.
Seems the liver is taken out everytime and just clips the bottom of the heart (on an elk anyways).
I think because I hit the bottom of the heart, the elk may not drop instantly, but between the bottom of the heart missing and the liver being
gone, the entire cavity of the elk is filled with blood, which I guess is a good thing?.
I do know I see most people shoot their game much higher, mid point it seems, which is the lungs, and they seem to have fast results.

I may have to move my shot to the crease of the rear edge of shoulder then 3" behind?
Might blood shock a bit of the shoulder meat, but maybe this will be a more direct in the middle heart shot.
If, not, then I have to go 2 or 3" higher??
Can look at a ton of pictures as to where the heart is, and I think I have it right, but I am off by just a little everytime?

[biggyun68]

I find that all my shots end up 3" or so behind the shoulder (I don't want to ruin any good meat if possible, so I don't aim right into the shoulder),
and fairly low, maybe the bottom 1/3-1/4 of the animal.
Seems the liver is taken out everytime and just clips the bottom of the heart (on an elk anyways).
I think because I hit the bottom of the heart, the elk may not drop instantly, but between the bottom of the heart missing and the liver being
gone, the entire cavity of the elk is filled with blood, which I guess is a good thing?.
I do know I see most people shoot their game much higher, mid point it seems, which is the lungs, and they seem to have fast results.

I may have to move my shot to the crease of the rear edge of shoulder then 3" behind?
Might blood shock a bit of the shoulder meat, but maybe this will be a more direct in the middle heart shot.
If, not, then I have to go 2 or 3" higher??
Can look at a ton of pictures as to where the heart is, and I think I have it right, but I am off by just a little everytime?

Have a look at this site:
http://app.fw.ky.gov/Elk101/courses/.../chapter5.aspx

[rocksteady]

Heart, lungs, head, neck, all lethal.. i will take the shot presented to me on a hunt.. if i think i have a high rate of sucess.. boom.. if not, wait for a better opportunity

[rocksteady]

And aint gonna beeatch on someone for them taking a shot that they thought was money

[wideopenthrottle]

I have this one on my favourites...it is kinda related....from what I know, it seems like accurate info to me but there are many here with more experience that might dispute some of the details?
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Kno...damentals.html