Neck Shot?

[Joe Archer]

An opinion on another forum stated that "neck shots with a rifle were not ethical...". I will hold my opinion, and ask for yours. <----<<<

[DuckMan]

I think if you view it as "Will a neck shot kill a deer humanely?" Absolutely. If you view it as "Is shooting for the neck a good placement for the shot?", I would say no.

The neck is a MUCH smaller target than the chest area and leaves too much room for error. Granted, if you miss....it's usually a clean miss, but the potential for mistakes is much higher. I have killed 2 deer with a neck shot....one with a bow (which was a mistake, but killed the deer quickly.) and one with a 30.06 (which was intentional). I felt bad about both shots even though both killed the deer quickly because it was a risky shot. I feel I owe more to the deer than taking a risky shot.

So I guess I would say that even if I felt I was an extremely good shot with my rifle, I would not shoot for the neck. Too much risk for me.

Just my opinion mind you.....

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DuckMan

[This message has been edited by DuckMan (edited 11-21-2000).]

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I don't know if I would call it "unethical", but I will say this--the neck, while it does carry some very important anatomy (carotid arteries, spine, jugular viens) is a VERY small and exacting target. I think I would be hesitant to take a neck shot with anything other than a scope sighted centerfire rifle that I had practiced with and knew well, and from a rest. With bow, open sighted rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, or handgun, I would say no, don't attempt it.

[Joe Archer]

This is meant for rifle hunting only. <----<<<

[Bob S]

I have taken three deer with neck shots. All three deer went right to the ground.

[deerless]

Go for the bigger target, my vote is with Duckman.

Deerless

[gman]

I go for the neck only if I have a clear shot. I have shot 4 this way with a 270 scoped with a 3x9, and you see them go down in the scope, no tracking necessary. shots were at yardages i was more than confident at. NO hail mary shots that's for sure.

[This message has been edited by gman (edited 11-22-2000).]

[hoytshooter]

I took one just today, with a neck shot. I generally would agree with the rest of the posts, that it is not advisable, but I stalked to within 15 yds of this one bedded down in a swamp, with a 3" remington copper solid sabot slug, and a bushnell trophy series scope, it was a slam dunk.

[bonasabuster]

gman-with what caliber?rifle or shotgun?hoytshooter-was this the first deer you have taken with a shotgun in this manner? everyone- how have other deer reacted? i never have had a chance at a neck shot but i would be more apt to take this shot with a shotgun.seems to me with the energy transfer from a slug that a neck shot would slam dunk a deer. with a rifle i would be fearful of the bullet not expanding and going clean through without much damage.but with my twelve ga and a sabot i wouldn't hesitate at 15 yds!

[This message has been edited by bonasabuster (edited 11-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by bonasabuster (edited 11-21-2000).]

[nightstalker]

Gives new meaning to the phrase "GO FOR THE THROAT"

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In the wind he's still alive!! Fred Bear

[hoytshooter]

bonasabuster,

Yes, this is the first deer that I have taken in this manner. I was still hunting through some thickets and underbrush, very heavy cove, and I was already within 15 yds when I noticed the deer bedded there. His head was facing the other way, and his whole body was burroughed down in the snow. I did not hesitate to take that shot, and when I shot him he never even flinched, his head fell over, and he was finished.

I was with a budy, last year that took a neck shot with a slug at about the same distance that was standing behind a bush, and she went right down as well.

I think that the whole deal here is that you have to be confident that you can hit the center of the neck. That is a decision that only an individual can make, based on there ability. If you are confident in a center neck hit, then I think the shot is very effective with rifle or shotgun.

[DILLIGAF]

I know of two deer that were shot in the neck. Neither was recovered by the hunter(s) that shot them.

[Hunter333]

I would say that a neck shot is a good shot IF and only IF the hunter has the utmost confidance in his/her shooting ability. I would not hesitate to take a neck shot while there are some that I would discourage others from taking that shot.

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ONE shot, ONE kill..No excuses, no exceptions EVER!!

[bishs]

Yea the neck is a smaller target than the chest, but if it is within your range it is deadly. Earlier someone was concerned about the bullet from a rifle not expanding; When a deer is hit in the neck from a rifle, he is down in his tracks. The neck is full of muscle and the bullet hits with such impact that the vertebrates are broken.

[Joe Archer]

I agree with Bishs. Put a rifle shell anywhere in the neck muscle and the shock will break the neck. I might as well confess. This year, a buck is facing me at 60 yards. He puts his head down to the ground. With my crosshairs on the back of his neck in the mid-chest area, I squeeze off a shot from my 308. It breaks the neck enters the chest and splits the heart down the middle. Like someone said, I watched him fall through my scope. This was the first time I had taken such a shot, and only had one shell in my rifle at the time. <----<<<