Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Head shots

I have seen more deer lost that was body shot than head shot deer. gut shot, legs shot off or hanging buy the skin . arrows infected wounds ETC,, more people shoot for body shots thus wound more deer than head shooters. if you can't hit a deers head under 100 yds. than you will take less time to get a good body shot and the results are worse... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

How many of us are willing to admit we're not as good a shot in the field under hunting conditions as we are on the range? I believe there are people that can make 800-yard kill shots. Most of them meet every summer at Camp Perry. For the rest of us...we owe it to our sport and ourselves to be very realistic about or shooting abilities. Having said that I'm reminded that I need to get back to the trap range. My kill vs. wound and lose ratio during pheasant season was too high.

There are a WHOLE LOT of good shooters that don't go to Camp Perry. Camp Perry is the meeting place of a disipline of shooting, not the meeting place of all disiplines or even perhaps the majority of them.

In my opinion if you're not as good a shot in the field as at the range then you're shooting incorrectly at the range or misinterpreting what you're doing at the range. For me shooting from a bench (something I seldom do) is to determine rifle and load precision. Once I have a known for the rifle and load I can determine if my marksmanship needs work. Shooting at the range in the position(s) you use in the field is marksmanship training and can help to understand/establish shooter and field accuracy.

A deer's head is a fairly good size target.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that every good field /game marksman in the world is on someone's rifle team. I've seen quite a few in prairie dog towns and on deer leases who can shoot like you wouldn't beleive. For what it's worth, one of my fellow hunitng buddies was the Texas State small bore champ three years running and came in third in the Nationals. And he ain't the best shot in our group. Some of the others have an attic full of benchrest trophy's and they ain't the best shots in the group either. Those guys in my group who are the most amazing field shots are the West Texas boys who grew up shooting jack rabbits in wide open spaces almost daily. And one of them does it with a handgun.

But I don't hunt with the average deer hunter. I've seen those guys, they and "opening day dove hunters" are one and the same. Nice guys, but they won't shoot 100 rounds in three seasons.

Mastery in shooting,like everything else invloves some talent, some training, and tons of practice. There are some amazing shooters out there who have never entered a formal competition of any type.

I found myself in the company of such men more and more as I worked to improve my own skills. Partly because I sought them out looking for help/advice and partly because of being invited to join them after proving my skills on the range or in the field. The time I was invited to go along on my first priarie dog shoot opened the doors of a whole new world and level of rifle shooting. It also was my initation into a group of shooters of a whole 'nother level.

I just miss the days when I used to be the youngester in that group. Now, I'm getting to be one of the more smooth mouthed members. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have taken one head shot It was at 15 yards on a small buck with a .54 muzzleloader. patched ball went between the eyes and out the back of the head. No mess with a patched ball. If he wasnt bedded down or if more than his head was visible a different shot might have been taken.

Every rifle range I have been to are bench shooting facilitys only. I have never been to a pay rifle range where you can sit on the ground, shoot offhand, or lay prone on the ground or even use shooting sticks. They are all strictly monitored.

Most of the hunting in Texas is done from box stands where the shots taken are as steady as at the range. Now I know there will be some who say its not really hunting but thats how its mostly done here in the Lone Star State. I also know that there are plenty of Texas hunters who "still" hunt. I have done it and its a blast, just not as easy to do with the kids.

I surely didn�t intend to offend anyone with my comment about the good shooters going to Camp Perry, I realize there are good shooters out there from all over. I guess I was a little cheesed about some of the earlier posts regarding the head shot and was just trying to make a point. I�ve got some buddies who constantly brag out their shooting abilities, they�re so good they don�t even need to practice. Maybe I�m jealous cause I have to practice just to be average.

I am by no means an expert shot. I�m primarily a hunter and for the most part shoot to support my hunting. I�m an average guy shooting average weapons with average ammo at average animals. But I have spent enough time in my life with a weapon in my hand to understand the factors that decrease accuracy in MY shooting situations. I guess I judge my abilities starting from the ideal situation, that being a bench rest, no distraction, good light, plenty of time etc. and then I practice with less than ideal conditions, off hand shooting, tons of cloths like I might be wearing in the field, first shot accuracy versus after a few warm ups, shooting from awkward positions, I can never get the deer to come at me from the exact right angle and in tight quarters usually can�t afford the movement it takes to readjust my position. The result of this practice is that I�ve learned that as I introduce more and more of these distracters my accuracy does suffer. On top of all this in my state we�re only allowed to shoot slugs and muzzleloaders during deer season, and at the risk of offending someone I don�t think these weapons have the range and accuracy of center fire rifles.

So�my opinion of the head shot�for me�with my equipment�with the less than perfect conditions I shoot in� and with my average shooting abilities�strictly against it. I�m shooting at the body cavity if I think I�ve got a good chance of a clean kill, and if I�m lucky enuf to get the time I�ll use what shooting ability I have and try to place the shot in the kill zone without tearing up too much meat.

I am curious about prairie-dog huntin, sounds like a blast. Can you tell me a little about it? If you don�t mind me asking what�s your effective range and what equipment are you using? What�s your kill percentage from these ranges?

First off welcome to the herd Trout. I don't believe you cheesed anybody off you just stated your opinion.

If I was having to operate under the conditions you stated above I'd be against head shots too. Too iffy.

I don't, so I'm not.

Benchrest shooting is to game shooting about like ballet dancing is to the Texas two step. They are both dancing but they are different. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

One thing it took me a while to learn posting on these boards is just because I can't do something ain't no sign that nobody else can. Yeah, I know, there are Windy Bills all over but I bet you money most of these boys can do what they say they can.

I can't hit a bullseye at a mile but that don't mean nobody can and I would be a fool to say you can't do it just because I can't wouldn't I?

Samey same with head shots ain't it?

As you said for you with your equipment you're against it (for you) that is right on.

Now me, with my equipment and conditions I do it all the time. It is easy for me. Am I wrong? Don't think so just different than you are.

BCR

My personal belief on this is that any shot in something other that the boiler room opens up too many gruesome possibilities. On the other hand, a heart/long shot is probably going to be fatal. Granted, you have a chance to muff any shot you make. However, the heart/lung shot offers the widest margin for error.

If a fellow is into head shots or neck shots, that's okay for him. I prefer using the extra time it takes to practice those sorts of shots, and spend it on scouting. It gives me more time in the woods, and less time expending expensive ammo. When season comes around, I have a better chance at closer ranges. Even at close range, I would not risk a head or neck shot.

The only thing I find truly objectionable about head shots is when they're touted to the inexperienced. First-timers have way to much to contend with. They hear about this head-shot macho thing and the one-shot/one-kill macho thing, and they think that this is the way to hunt. I teach my sons to aim for the boiler room, squeeze one off, and then immediately reacquire the chest in their sights for the possibility of a follow-on shot. The last thing I would want them to come away with is a blown head-shot. That sort of thing is why the average deer hunter only goes 3 seasons and then quits. Even a successful head shot can be a turn off-- an exploded head showing up at the processor is enough to put some folks off their feed.

Here's one other point I am going to leave you all with. A version of it happened to me this year, so it's still fresh. Let's just say you are out in the wood on opening day. You're working a nice buck back in the cedars; he's there, but he hasn't presented a shot. Suddenly, a blown head-shot case comes in. It's a doe missing a lower jaw. Now what? Well, of course you're going to take the shot and put her down. The problem is that you've gone and done the right thing, but you've also screwed up your day having to put down somebody else's mistake. I personally would feel much better about putting down a high-chest shot from someone who had really tried to do the right thing to start. I would rather take that or a blown foreleg or anything else rather than have to shoot a head shot that was an inch or two off its mark.

I agree, new hunters should not be taking head shots in most cases. There are a few "tricks" and a bit of learning before a hunter should try this as a regular shot.

A few personal tips:
Don't shoot for a head in low light when the deer is looking directly at the shooter, they often move their head at the muzzle flash (much worse with a muzzle loader).
Wait for the deer to concentrate on an object, they often study areas or objects and during this time their head is often motionless.
The easiest shot if from the rear of the head with the deer slightly below the hunter. As encountered when a deer passes an elevated stand.
No head shots on moving (walking or running) deer.


On the hunting scenario.

"... You're working a nice buck back in the cedars; he's there, but he hasn't presented a shot. Suddenly, a blown head-shot case comes in. It's a doe missing a lower jaw. Now what? Well, of course you're going to take the shot and put her down. The problem is that you've gone and done the right thing, but you've also screwed up your day having to put down somebody else's mistake."

I see nature is a fairly "cruel" place with what some folks would consider cruel death being the norm. If I were hunting the buck and a wounded doe came in I'd let her leave the scene and I'd continue the buck hunt. I feel no duty to shoot crippled or wounded animals to put them out of my misery, I let nature do what nature does. I will however shoot an injured animal if it's one I would have shot if it hadn't been previously injured.


Back on the new guys.

I believe one of the biggest problem for inexperienced deer hunters is the need to select a place on the deer that is the "target". Many new hunters simply shoot the deer and when questioned as to where they were aiming reply with the "I was aiming at the deer". Once a hunter can decide and become proficient enough to pick a place on the deer "the skin fold at the top of the front leg and chest" for example and hit that spot they've become a much more proficient deer shooter.

Folks that "shoot heads" sometimes don't know that shooting a deer in the face won't kill it, their anatomy studies are lacking in some cases, you must shoot the deer in the brain or high spine.



The bullet should pass through (under) the large "X" marked on this skull. Trying to get a bullet there up the deer's nose is not a good idea as there is a lot of bone and tissue in the nose.




Another view of a skull, the "target" for a head shot is the brain.

jmj,

I'm with VAnimrod completely, on this one!! memtb

DaveKing:

You gotta be freaking kidding me! I had to read the above 3 times to believe what I had read. You have no duty to shoot previously wounded or injured animals to put them out of misery? What kind of hunter or sportsman are you anyway and who taught you anything about hunting?

You are the exact kind of hunter that gives all hunters a bad name. Putting wounded or suffering animals down in that situation would be something any true hunter or sportsman or animal lover would do. If your hunting strictly for the trophy you are in it for the wrong reason my friend.

I dont know where you hunt or who you hunt with but making that bold assenine statement on my lease with the folks I hunt with would result in a quick escort off the property with no welcome back. Had it not been for you having so many posts here on this forum I would have taken you for a troll. I still cannot believe your statement, I have never heard any veteran hunter on this or any thread make or have such a FU opinion.

What kind of advice is it to a new hunter that its ok to pass on a wounded suffering doe with her jaw blown off if there is a possibilty at a nice trophy or something bigger?
Wow! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Obviously someone other than you had as a teacher/mentor, mine was a seasoned hunter, world traveler, war veteran.

If a hawk swoops down in front of you and pins a squirrel to the ground then proceeds to rip it to pieces eating it while it's still alive do you shoot the squirrel or the hawk or both??

Life is fairly cruel for all (humans, animals and whatever).

You'll get over it.


BTW. How do you know the animal what's to be killed and not just given the chance to live??

Thats a totally different situation and you know it.

Stoker

The point is, I was taught to let nature take it own path and try to avoid judging what is best/better for nature.

I also have no "duty to act" in these situations, I have not seen a game law/regulation that requires or suggests mercy killing based on a hunter's interpretation of the condition on a non-intended game animal.

Some folks would find the hawk & squirrel scenario horrific if they were to watch and yet it happens each day out of sight. I'm sure you've seen folks interfere with the natural course of events, chasing a cat away from a small bird (or vice versa).

I choose to let nature take care of it's own problems and you may find solace in that if you still greatly disagree with my thinking someday nature will take care of me (that pesky problem fella) too!

No offense meant, just my look at nature.

DaveKing,

Everyone is entitled to their own take on nature. I dont have a problem with that. The Hawk killing its prey is nature in action and something I have seen happen and is a pretty impressive sight.

I understand you have no legal obligation or duty to act in that type of situation.

You have your ideas and opinions and are a grown man, I have no problem with that. We just agree to disagree on this particular topic. No big deal. My goal is not argue here. Sorry if it appeared that way.

In Pa if you don't have a tag for a deer that was wounded and you shoot it to put it out of it's misery you will be arrested. same with a deer hit on the road and is alive but obviously beyond recovering if you put it out of its misery you will be fined. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Everyone has a decision is all I am saying. Very few game wardens I know if any would come into a deer camp and cite a hunter who had called him regarding the fact that he had put a deer down, Buck or Doe for that matter that had its jaw blown off where some hunter attempted a head shot.

Regarding the deer hit on the side of road...I am not saying if you come upon that circumstance to get out your handgun and finish the deer off. A simple call to the local game warden or law enforcment agency will get the job done. In Texas they will come out and do what needs to be done. In rural areas here I have seen many animals, be it deer, dogs, cats or livestock hit by motor vehicles and were subsequently put down by someone on the scene with a firearm. But this is Texas, we all carry guns here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I can only add a few thoughts. Those that are foolish to condemn a head shot and propose a neck shot need to go back to anatomy class and then a measuring class and math class for percentages. Neck is about the lowest percentage shot out there, and shows what I personally consider, a very poor choice.

If you are going to do head shots I learned my lesson some years ago. Don't do it with a small caliber gun. Often being off only an inch could be a disaster. On the other hand, if you shoot them with something more along the lines of a deer caliber or a mag, a solid hit in the head will do them in every time. If its a big round, then even hitting the jaw will crack the skull and give a concusion. Have lost a doe with the 22-250 and head shot. Have never lost a head shot with a 300 mag.

When meat hunting you can pick and choose and thats what I do normally. And the head shot is not nice looking, but its very nice to clean-- nothing blown to heck, no guts punched etc....(often come from secondary frags... and not the bullet).

I won't advocate the head shot. I always advocate the chest cavity. But given the right shooter, the right shot, the head shot works fine. My default is that I was taught this shot as a youngster and taught when to press the trigger. And it worked so great that I never knew better. Only got in trouble the time I started using the 22-250 and improper bullets.

IMHO, from a rest, the head offers a target as large as the heart, and one should be capable of hitting that target each time under the correct circumstances. But then not everyone practices as much as they should.

Although I'm not a big fan of of the heat after reading some of the recent post I'm thinking of moving to Texas. When is Deer season down there?