CouesPursuit Report post Posted July 30, 2014 With the wealth of knowledge and enormous amount of site traffic here on CWT, an honest discussion on shot selection could save more than a few of our AZ big game animals from going to waste or enduring unnecessary morbidity this fall from ill-advised shot placement and choices. If folks could share trail camera and field photos of theoretical shot opportunities from the cameras perspective, it could help many of us new and upcoming shooters make better choices in our opportunities as they present themselves. Positive criticism, reinforcement and discussion could clear common misconceptions and help individuals gain the confidence they need when they are setting their pins and crosshairs on their targets in the upcoming seasons. I have a few ready, but I'll start with one. Below, 3 Coues bucks just arrived to a ground blind stand set over a desert seep in the early August archery season. Although the closest, the buck on the lower left is alert, has brush in between me and his vitals that could deflect my arrow flight, and is clearly the smallest. I'll pass on him. The buck in the middle looks nice and his head is down with some brush over his eyeballs, but I fear a clean pass through could make its way into contact with that other nice buck in the back. Finally, I 'm confident to take the buck in the back. He is coming to a stop right at my 30 yard pin, so I won't have to hold high or low, and if I let him take that last step or two to the water, I'm sure my arrow will have a clean flight path to his vitals and broadside stance. The red X marks the spot, smooth release, backstraps. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I don't believe the issue is people do not know where to aim or what shots to pass. things go awry when the arrow does not hit its intended mark for whatever reason in the scenario above I would not take any shot but I would wait as I believe the buck on the far left closest to the camera is about to step forward and clear all other obstructions. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJMauro12 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I like the idea but I feel stupid people will take stupid shots no matter how much you pound it into their head. Also agree with sometimes just don't go as planned as written above. Can't wait to see more pictures tho! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I would have moved to my left and flung one through all three with my rifle then call 2 buddies to use their tags then not mark my tag drive out not get stopped fill freezer and be back in my blind the next morning,,,,,You said honest not serious. LOL anyway very good thinking but you could wait until the one you really want is in a good position and if not let them walk or shoot the back one, lots of ok decisions in that shot. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PatrickJr Report post Posted July 30, 2014 analyze this one, even though its at night.... first of all not a shooter, broken beam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Completely agree, but it can't hurt to stimulate some 'before the play' thinking. There are still way too many people with the 'if arrows ain't flyin' mindset and many that could learn a thing or two from some of the experience guys and gals on this site. The usefulness of this thread is entirely dependent on its posters. Maybe no one replies and I look like an idiot, but I'd have no shame in trying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJMauro12 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I think that is a shot you would take at that range if you subtract the point that it is dark and I can't see what is behind it. I feel like this one is a trick because it seems like an easy shot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Completely agree, but it can't hurt to stimulate some 'before the play' thinking. There are still way too many people with the 'if arrows ain't flyin' mindset and many that could learn a thing or two from some of the experience guys and gals on this site. The usefulness of this thread is entirely dependent on its posters. Maybe no one replies and I look like an idiot, but I'd have no shame in trying. your head is in the right place. analyze this one, even though its at night.... first of all not a shooter, broken beam If he moves his back leg back just bit and pretending it's day time...Id shoot. He's got antler...he's a "shooter". 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJMauro12 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Completely agree, but it can't hurt to stimulate some 'before the play' thinking. There are still way too many people with the 'if arrows ain't flyin' mindset and many that could learn a thing or two from some of the experience guys and gals on this site. The usefulness of this thread is entirely dependent on its posters. Maybe no one replies and I look like an idiot, but I'd have no shame in trying. Wasn't trying to knock your post. Just throwing it out there that I know a few people that sling way too many arrows no matter how much i tell them it's a bad idea. Completely agree it's a great thread for people to look at shot opportunities that haven't seen many in the field and judge the good shots from the bad. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Patrick I wouldn't take that shot quite yet, but I would be full drawn, pin set and ready for that shooter to me to make a really bad mistake, similar to oz31p's opinion of opening up a bit with that back leg as I'd want to put the arrow just left of his left hind quarters current shadow, center mass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMart Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Here's an angle that might get some discussion.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PatrickJr Report post Posted July 31, 2014 analyze this one, even though its at night.... first of all not a shooter, broken beam If he moves his back leg back just bit and pretending it's day time...Id shoot. He's got antler...he's a "shooter". sorry i forgot to state that this is in mexico, he is not a shooter in mexico in my book Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Here's an angle that might get some discussion.... Fantastic, I didn't have my own photos of any antlered animals with such a great pose. I look forward to reading replies! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Norteno Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Here's an angle that might get some discussion.... Great Topic, thanks for putting it together. As much as people would want to let one fly this is a hard pass. Come to full draw and pray he turns. It might be better to stay still though and don't draw until he faces away. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted July 31, 2014 analyze this one, even though its at night.... first of all not a shooter, broken beam If he moves his back leg back just bit and pretending it's day time...Id shoot. He's got antler...he's a "shooter". sorry i forgot to state that this is in mexico, he is not a shooter in mexico in my book my book is international. If he makes just one more mistake he gonna get it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
