Tough shot

[Short Track]

Tree stand 8 feet above grade. Deer comes in straight at me. Stops at 10 yards, with head down to ground. Sniffing my piss.
I draw, and hold. I could have shot into the head, angled top down, or top of neck, or spine more towards the back.

No lung shot, just an 'angled top down' shot. With the deer facing directly towards me.

Could the arrow break the spine ?? Otherwise this deer would have ran quite a ways.

I passed, and the fork lives on for another day. What would you have done ?

 

[manitou1]

I took that shot many years ago. The deer bled like crazy. Never found it. Didn't break the spine, obviously.
Personally, I think you did the right thing.

 

[RC_]

Not a shot that I would take. From that angle, best case scenario is what, a spine shot that might need a follow up? You made the right call imo

 

[crich]

Slim margin for error with that one. I wouldnt have shot.

 

[Gheft]

I'd say you made the right choice, better to go home empty handed with nothing than going home empty handed with a wounded deer running around in the woods, not saying it can't be done but it's a risky shot, it's nice to know there are hunters that won't take unethical shots

Sent from my motorola one 5G ace using Tapatalk

 

[DCT1983]

You did the right thing. That’s definitely a frustration of archery hunting.

 

[Short Track]

Can an arrow break the spine?? Does it have enough energy ? I typically wait for high percentage shots where I know I'm piercing both lungs. Then I know I'm within 100 yards of finding a dead deer.

 

[DCT1983]

Unfortunately I know first hand an arrow can break the spine. Like mentioned it drops them in their tracks but takes a follow up shot.

 

[WCB]

Yes arrow could break spine...or miss an vital and just wound a deer. Now if the deer had its head up I personally would chest shoot it any day of the week. BUT that is me.

 

[Short Track]

I chest shot a deer. The arrow hit the front shoulder instead of penetrating deep. The deer was never found. Had good blood for a while, and you know the story.

 

[Laramie]

If you are uncomfortable with a shot, don't take it. You did the right thing.

 

[Danny Hoey]

I had a similar situation happen once. Deer came in from behind my stand, stopped directly under me. I could have jumped on his back....waited for him to give me a shot and he never did.

 

[Jethro]

It can be done but good for you for not taking it. Always best to pass a shot when you have any doubts.

 

[83cj-7]

I accidentally made a shot like this yesterday. Broadside deer at 40 yards nearly dark outside. Deer turned to run at the shot and somehow hit it right between the eyes which went through its head and into the spine. Needless to say it was DRT.