Dylan,

This is a big debate amongst hunters. I will tell you there is not a day that goes by  without my friends bringing the long honored question of where is the "best" place to shoot and harvest and animal.

 I am behind the shoulder shot placement type guy, the reason for this is how I was raised and I am a bow hunter as well. I have tried on the shoulder, neck shots, head shots and I always feel more comfortable shooting behind the shoulder. Some deer run most drop. It is our responsibilty to harvest the animal in the quickest and most humane way possible.

I belive a behind the shoulder shot the deer is already dead . No heart,  no lungs no problem. Last, I belive that it all depends on your equipment as well.... but that is a whole other debate.

So Dylan take the shot that you feel is most comfortable with that will harvest the animal in the quickest and most humane way possible.  Remember good shot placement is your responsibilty of a sportsman. Good hunting Dylan.

Dylan,

I typically like to shoot them in the neck because it knocks 'em flat.  You have to hit the spine though.  I've seen neck shot deer run off (not mine) because their spine wasn't broke. 

If I'm shooting for the chest cavity I like to shoot 'em low, just behind the shoulder to insure a heart shot.  By shooting them lower, the chest cavity fills with blood which flows out the entry/exit wounds sooner thereby leaving a good blood trail. 

I've seen deer that were shot high on the chest run for some distance and not leave much blood to follow. 

For these reasons I like to use a larger caliber/higher speed bullet that leaves a large exit wound.  It's hard to stop the blood spillage from a baseball sized exit wound. 

I recently took a buddy to my place so he could kill a doe.  He brought his .243.  He shot a doe through the shoulder.  The bullet his the bone and entered the chest cavity, puncturing the heart and lungs.  She ran a short distance and collapsed.  When we arrived some at her body some 15 minutes later she got up and tried to run away but was unable due to the broken leg/shoulder.  A second shot finished her.  Upon field dressing her, we discovered that there was no exit wound at all.   

I don't use this scenario to degrade the venerable .243 (I own and use one) but to point out that with smaller caliber rifles bullet placement is essential.  Sometimes in the field we don't get to make a perfect shot and therefore a larger caliber is just good insurance.   Had this doe run any distance we might not have found her due to the lack of a blood trail, high grass and thick brush. 

That's why I typically use a .270 Win. with Hornady Light Magnum 140 grain BTHP ammo.  It has high velocity (3100 FPS) with a moderately heavy bullet for breaking through bone and leaves a pretty nasty exit wound.   

Dylan,

You might want to put a question like this under 'General Hunting' so you don't get questioned by someone.

Your question though is a good one, and among hunters is a pretty subjective topic.  The answers you get will depend on the hunting situation, the range, to some degree your skill, the rifle you're using, and often just a hunter's preference. 

Many hunters when they're hunting doe will shoot them in the neck to ruin as little meat as possible.  Sometimes a neck shot is the only one you have, especially if you're still hunting in heavy cover or rattling.  Most of the neck shooters I know are good shots that practice a lot, and several of those will limit their effective range to suit what they feel is their level of competentcy.  Some hunters will neck shoot when using small caliber rifles like a .220 Swift, .223, .22-250 or even a .243.  I sure don't recommend that, but I know several good hunters that do.

I've always been a heart/lungs shooter.  Its a quick, humane kill that leaves the most room for any shooter error.  And even in the best  of situations things can and do happen.  Lung shots also leave a great blood trail and when properly done don't ruin a lot of meat.  Sometimes I'll take a shoulder shot if a lung shot for some reason is not available, like when an animal is quartering towards you.  It'll  immobilize the shoulder, hit the upper lungs and, depending on the angle, keep away from the stomach/intestines.  If all other options are not available, and if I feel comfortable enough, I'll take a neck shot.

Dylan

I personally take neck and head shots on doe, and body shots on bucks.  This is waste as little meat as possible, and there is definitely no tracking.  It is either a hit or a clean miss.  I take body shots on bucks due to excitement or range this offers a larger kill zone. 

On another topic that seems to be coming up is caliber.  I personally think that you should be comfortable enough to take whatever kind of shot is neccessary with what you are in the field with.  Last weekend in shot a doe in the head with my 7MM Ultra Mag shooting a 140g bullet, no tracking that one.  But i have also shot one of my bigger bucks with a .243 WSSM shooting a 95g ballistic tip, no exit no blood but they don't go far with good placement. 

So im my opinion it is an application question.  What are you shooting and what for.  Doe is probably for meat so head or neck.  Buck is probably for a trophy so highest percentage would be the body.  Just be comfortable with your weapon so you can handle any of the above.  Hope this helps.

I normally take heart and lung shots at long range and if possible neck shot close range. But I also use a 30-06 168gr bthp or ballistic tip. Now since I moved to florida everybody uses triple o buck shots and uses all five rounds in the gun while shooting at deer being chased by dogs, which I hate dog hunter alot out here.

I agree with all of you. There are some good points to each reply. I shot several deer with my.222, never had one run away yet. I now use a .270 and just love it! I shoot them in the Lungs Heart area. I have used my 25-06 and shot them in the neck at longer distance but I am comfortable with it. I agree you must know your rifle that you are shooting and be comfortable with the shot you are taking. The worse thing you can do is to make a shot and have him run off and not recover it. I have done it and it just eats me up inside. If I doubt the shot no matter how big it is I wont take it. So go to the range and know the shots you can take no matter what caliber you are shooting. Good luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS, Good hunting

Like Eddie, I agree with most on your replies in that I prefer the heart/lung shot placement with my 30.06 because it tends to leave a good blood trail for tracking. A buddy of mine on my lease prefers the neck or head shots on does, so I may have to attempt a shot this weekend on an unsuspecting doe or two.

Good Hunting to all and Happy Holidays!!

Without question, the best shot placement is WHERE YOU ARE MOST COMFORTABLE placeing the shot. It is far better to have to track a deer a short distance from a lung shot than to try to make a neck shot and have a bad shot as the result. So the answer is ALLWAYS shoot where you hit the best.

Dylan,

I have found that for short distances (less than 60 yards), with a clear shot, a neck shot is a large enough target if you are proficient with you weapon.  There are many hunters out there that can easily make this shot at 100 yards but for me I try not to go over 60 yards.  In my experience the neck shot at this distance is an instant killer.  I have never had to track one when I have performed this shot.  I am not a shoulder shooter because I don't like the meat lost due to that shot.  So for me closer shots are neck shots and everything else is behind the shoulder.