Shoulder shot on whitetail with bow.

[DavOh]

Anyone shoot their deer in the shoulder with an arrow? Everything I've experienced and have read indicates a Shoulder shot will make the animal lay down and expire sooner, making for an easier recovery. I've never gotten to stick a deer, but I know this is the case with rifle, even the .243s.

With Bow and arrow, especially with modern bows putting out 55-60 lbft of KE. (at range)  My dad shot a 200 lb Feral Hog in the shoulder blade with a 60 lb PSE 10 yrs ago and got a clean pass through. I'm pretty sure it would work with a 100 lb Whitetail.

What do you guys think?

[Daveinthebush]

You do not want to take a shoulder shot.  A shot slightly behind the shoulder into the lungs is best.  When you hit the shoulder there is too much of a chance to hit bone, too far forward and too high.  

Look at the following link to help you out.  

http://home.mn.rr.com/deerfever/Anatomy.html

[slave]

DavOh,

When the bullet from a 243 strikes a shoulder bone it sends a shower of bone chips throug the lungs. A good broad head from a bow producing decent engery can make a pass through even with a shoulder hit but it will not produce the damage to the lungs like the bullet and bone chips will.

For easy recovery I try to set up for a quatering away shot from a tree stand. This affords a longer path through the lung / heart area. The more you cut the quicker they drop.

I have head shot two does over the years. Both right below my stand. Both went about 26". In both cases the arrow entered between the ears and exited near the nose. The shaft was toast but I did salvage the Magnus head in both cases.

[dukkillr]

i stuck a deer in the shoulder two seasons ago and lost it.  I wouldn't try it.  I think part of the problem is that the increased bone decreases penetration and you get less blood loss.  Like the others say, slight quartering away and into the lungs.

[DavOh]

makes sense, thanks for the info!