Let's Talk Shot Selection

[CouesPursuit]

Here's an angle that might get some discussion....

So let's say you have a fast shooting modern archery rig, does that play into effect whether or not you try to shoot into the lower percentage shot like that? It's a Coues, their scapulas aren't that thick, play a role?

[Guest akaspecials]

 

Here's an angle that might get some discussion....

So let's say you have a fast shooting modern archery rig, does that play into effect whether or not you try to shoot into the lower percentage shot like that? It's a Coues, their scapulas aren't that thick, play a role?

 

If you can't double lung the bugger w/o any shoulder in the way, you shouldn't let the arrow fly! The fastest newest archery rig still isn't a 30-06. You won't get through a shoulder on a consistent basis.... As for the photo B-Mart posted. Let him take one more step so that shoulder is out of the way. Then you should get one lung perfect and catch the back end of the other lung. Not perfect, but close enough for me. Especially at distances within my shooting ability (50 yards on coues.... I'm pie plate at 80 yards at the range).

 

Great topic BTW! It's hard not to let arrows fly when the animal is within range, but even then animal position is more important than most folks realize. I think the Dart system that Archery HQ has is great to demonstrate this and get people thinking about it.

 

Another thing I do before every archery hunt is study anatomy pictures to make sure I know right where that shoulder is and how the position changes as the animal is walking.

[oz31p]

 

Here's an angle that might get some discussion....

So let's say you have a fast shooting modern archery rig, does that play into effect whether or not you try to shoot into the lower percentage shot like that? It's a Coues, their scapulas aren't that thick, play a role?

I shoot a very fast bow with heavy arrows. He looks close in the picture so I would take that shot inside 50y.

[Havasuhunter]

I've hunted with one guy that would say something really loud to me like LOOK AT THOSE BUCKS, then take a shot at them while they are running away! Let's just say, not all bow hunters use common sense.

[bonecollector]

I'd take this shot.

 

[oz31p]

I'd take this shot.

image.jpg

I also have an archery bull tag and I would also take this shot too.

[naturegirl]

Here's my 2 cents. Shot placement is critical. Sometimes people luck out with dead animals from bad shots and sometimes people make good shots, but the animal doesn't go down.

 

To me what is most important is what happens before the hunt. This is where I think there would be less wounded animals. Many people think they know their equipment.

 

Study vital pictures of the animal you are hunting before the hunt. I always have a lion and bear tag. The chances are very small I will ever see one in bow range, but I still know where their vitals are.

 

Practice, practice, and practice your weapon of choice. I will never shoot 60 yards on an animal, but I practice it in my backyard. This picture below shows my arrow flight at 60 yards. This doesn't matter much in the desert, but it the pines it does. I was pretty surprised when I was aiming for the target and hit the swing set instead. Good lesson.

 

Aim low (not midline).

 

If you shoot an animal, quickly knock another arrow for a follow-up shot.

 

Picture #1 - I'd wait for one of the three to make a step or two one way or the other.

 

Picture #2 - I'd wait for him to put his head up so his elbow moves.

 

Picture #3 - Again, I'd wait for him to hopefully move forward a few steps so he's broadside and not quartering toward me.

[CouesPursuit]

I'd take this shot.

 

image.jpg

Great photo. This leads into one of the misconceptions I was referring to, where when I was just getting started I was told and believed on a broadside shot, you want to aim just behind the front leg (black star) to avoid making contact with bone. It was easy to believe as before you get your hands into an animal for the first time, you could imagine the front leg bone not having as much of a low and forward position as it does.

 

So luckily I now know to set the pin a few inches extending above his leg line (red X) and you still have plenty of room for both lungs with the chance of a heart shot, while significantly avoiding the rumen and maintaining distance from the shoulder.

[CouesPursuit]

 

 

Here's an angle that might get some discussion....

So let's say you have a fast shooting modern archery rig, does that play into effect whether or not you try to shoot into the lower percentage shot like that? It's a Coues, their scapulas aren't that thick, play a role?

I shoot a very fast bow with heavy arrows. He looks close in the picture so I would take that shot inside 50y.

 

So compared to the red X, would you shoot into both lungs with a good chance of catching bone or would you shoot right of his shoulder and get at least one lung, maybe the back of the rear lung, and good penetration?

 

It really looks like this deer could flee at any minute and it could be your only chance if you really wanting him, waiting is always an option but at what looks like a shot under 20 yards, I would have a hard time not putting one into the X if I was already at full draw, shooting an inch or two lower than normal in case he flinches low with the noise of the release of the arrow, and trying to stay away from the thick part of his shoulder.

 

I wouldn't take this shot on a big mule deer, or elk.

 

Thoughts?

[GreyGhost85]

i trust my bow to drive an arrow through that quartering towards deer, but i would put my pin on the front half of his shoulder. i've shot 3 coues with a bow from the same angle. all made it less than 50 yards.