ethics, please

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:20 am

macobow wrote:Sumner, with all due respect, I disagree with you. An expert marksman with a rifle doing a neck shot at 40 yards might be OK, but not with an arrow or xbow bolt. If the deer reacts even slightly at the sound of the shot the result would be a wounded deer. We have a duty to the animal as well as ourselves to not take risky shots. I'm glad Wabi brought up this topic.

I didn't mean for my post to sound like I am OK with a 40 yard neck shot. I know two archers that shoot quail on the fly and are deadly shots. If either of these guys came in with a deer that was shot in the neck at 40 yards, then I would say nice shot and leave it at that because I know their skill level and I know these guys would not take a shot that they were not going to make a quick kill.

I can also add that neither of these guys has ever taken a deer from more than 30 yards and never a neck shot. At least not that they have told the story.

I'm just trying to make the point that we can not judge by pictures alone.

I also disagree with your accessment of a 40 yard neck shot. If the deer reacts at all, it's probably a clean miss. Taking a neck shot is nothing more than trying to show off. Probably over compensating for something.

Seriously, it would depend on which end of the "neck" the hunter was shooting at too. I've taken clean head and neck shots, but, from less than 15 yards on wounded deer.

I really agree with wabi . . .some shots should never be taken. But, unless you know more information, then it's not right to judge.

Sopchoppy has every right to be pissed at his hunting partner. He has the facts.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:42 pm

sumner4991 wrote:I really agree with wabi . . .some shots should never be taken. But, unless you know more information, then it's not right to judge.

My intent was not to judge or criticize anyone - it was to point out to the newcomers that many of the shots they see in the posts should not be attempted unless you're an expert (and even then it depends on a lot of other factors).

I won't even attempt a spine shot!

I hold out for the heart/lung area on a broadside deer (or slightly quartering away).

I hope those who have posted pics of some hits outside the heart/lung area don't take offense at my post, but if they do they probably were just plain lucky and shouldn't have attempted the shot in the first place.