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Shot question

LYON

LYON

PMA Member
Got a question for the bowhunters on here. I was watching the WidwestWhitetail videos and in this video: http://www.midwestwhitetail.com/gallery/96/media/3699/mw1113-the-g5-buck.html
at 17:57, Bill Winke shoots the "G5" buck from nearly directly above it. Wondering how many would take this shot? I've been thinking about this exact kind of shot lately due to one of my stands sitting almost directly above a main trail (no other decent trees nearby). There would be a high likelyhood of having a shot like this be offered from this stand. I personally dont think it's a bad shot, but just wondering what everyone else thinks about it and if you have taken this shot before.
 
I don't think I would take this shot but there again I have never had a deer of that caliber in front of me. :eek:

If you read the question/answer (Ask Winke) section Bill explains the shot in two different questions and I believe he also wrote that he will address the shot in a upcoming show.
 
I guess I'm not strictly saying would you take this shot ON THIS BIG OF A DEER, but rather would you take this shot on any deer? Sorry if that was confusing.
 
It's easy for us to sit here behind a computer and say we would not take that shot. But when you are put in the same situation as Bill was and have that caliber of deer in front of you, it's hard to say what we would do when the adrenaline starts pumping and the shakes set in.
 
180class said:
It's easy for us to sit here behind a computer and say we would not take that shot. But when you are put in the same situation as Bill was and have that caliber of deer in front of you, it's hard to say what we would do when the adrenaline starts pumping and the shakes set in.
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X2. I have not seen any of his follow up comments but when I watched it the other day the first thing that went through my head was all the shot critics (on AT esp.) would be all over him. He stated right there in the tree that the shot "was nothing to be proud of" and he panicked. To me it just shows none of us are perfect. It's not like he was set up on a trail where he was looking for a spine shot. That buck just came plowing through the brush right at his tree. Glad it worked out for him. I have been there and not so fortunate.:(
 
180class said:
It's easy for us to sit here behind a computer and say we would not take that shot. But when you are put in the same situation as Bill was and have that caliber of deer in front of you, it's hard to say what we would do when the adrenaline starts pumping and the shakes set in.
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Agreed. If you watch further in the video he pretty much says, "that shot sucked" It doesn't matter the size of the buck, fact of the matter is G-5 was on the "hitlist". If I had a "hitlist" buck under me at the same angle and it was clearly the only shot I'm going to get, I'm pretty sure I'd shoot. There's a reason they're on the hitlist.

In one of Whitetail Freaks videos (vol1 or vol2), Don Kisksy killed a public land buck using almost the exact same shot.

It's a difficult shot...if you don't think so, try it when practicing. Pretty easy to shoot high at that angle. It's not a desired shot angle and setting up a stand for that particular shot is ill-advised.

Bill's had an incredible season. Congrats to him.
 
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This weeks video is perfect proof that any shot can go bad and any shot can go great. Last year he had him at 20 yards and misjudged a more "ethical" shot and only wounded the buck. This year he take an unorthodox shot and he dies within 30 yards. I've never personally met Bill but I was happy for him just like I'd be for a close friend or brother. You couldn't ask for a better guy representing Iowa and bowhunting in general.
 
It makes me laugh when guys criticize someone for taking a bad shot like they would NEVER do that. It's these same guys that early on in the season are posting that they would let a certain buck walk becuase he too young and not "mature" yet. But then come October or November those same guys are posing with a 130" 2.5 year old.
 
I agree with everyone that it's kind of a "in the moment decision" if you will and wapsiguy, thanks for pointing out the Q&A thing, I hadn't seen that. I look forward to hearing his explanation in the next video. Love watching all of the MW shows, but really like the main one simply because I like Bill. As said above, he seems like a great guy that certainly gives bowhunting a good feel.
 
Obviously, the shot wasn't ideal, but I think with the right bow, the shot is more ethical.

I shoot 58 pounds and my bow isn't extremely hard-hitting. Bill, I believe, shoots a 70+ pound bow with some knock-down power. At that angle, a harder hitting set-up WILL help the shot be more successful. He wasn't proud of the shot, but it worked and I think he is capable of executing it.

It all boils down to what the hunter feels confident in. Then you have to decide whether that confidence allows you to take otherwise questionable shots. I know plenty of guys that can't consistently hit a target at 20 yards, so their odds of wounding go up drastically no matter the shot angle.
 
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