Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting What is the motivation to shoot deer in the shoulder?

It amazes me how many folks here find critters don't go anywhere when shoulder shot. Different situations and experiences I guess.

I have found no difference in how far critters run whether shot through the shoulder or directly behind it. Sometimes they make it a few steps and sometimes they don't. High shoulder shots excluded of course.

This is why I try to avoid shoulders, even with premium bullets.



This elk made it about 10 steps after a 200 grain accubond broke both shoulders (by accident). 10 steps is not far enough to make any difference, but that gritty, nasty bone marrow and bone fragments were everywhere.
Roughly half of the critters I hit behind the shoulder don't even make it 10 steps. Again, no upside to drilling shoulders as I see it, unless it simply gives you confidence.