blake
Life Member
I think we all want to make a clean shot on any species that we hunt. Please take some time to review these shot placement do’s & don’t. 
Whitetail Shot Placement 101:
Quartering Toward (ground shot)
About 65 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. Aim for the near shoulder. Don't try this shot with a bow; you'll hit the shoulder bone.
Broadside Ground Shot
With 100 percent of the heart-lung area exposed, you have a target roughly the size of an 8 inch paper plate with room for error. By far the best shot to hope for.
Head On (ground shot)
Only 35 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed, IMO this shot is too risky for archers. Gun hunters should also avoid this shot. You risk the bullet deflecting off the shoulder bone and only wounding the deer. Wait for a better shot!
Quartering Away (ground shot)
About 60 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. Aim along an imaginary line through the deer's far shoulder.
Walking Away (steep angle)
About 45 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. The tendency is to shoot too far forward: aim along an imaginary line exiting between the deer's front legs
Quartering Toward (steep angle)
About 55 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed, but is protected by the shoulder bone. The deer would probably see you move to prepare for the shot.
Quartering Away (steep angle)
About 55 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. Aim along an imaginary line exiting low on the far shoulder. In this position the deer is not likely to see your movement.
20 Yards Out
http://www.iowawhitetail.com Iowa's number one resource for the whitetail deer.
Whitetail Shot Placement 101:
Quartering Toward (ground shot)
About 65 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. Aim for the near shoulder. Don't try this shot with a bow; you'll hit the shoulder bone.
Broadside Ground Shot
With 100 percent of the heart-lung area exposed, you have a target roughly the size of an 8 inch paper plate with room for error. By far the best shot to hope for.
Head On (ground shot)
Only 35 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed, IMO this shot is too risky for archers. Gun hunters should also avoid this shot. You risk the bullet deflecting off the shoulder bone and only wounding the deer. Wait for a better shot!
Quartering Away (ground shot)
About 60 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. Aim along an imaginary line through the deer's far shoulder.
Walking Away (steep angle)
About 45 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. The tendency is to shoot too far forward: aim along an imaginary line exiting between the deer's front legs
Quartering Toward (steep angle)
About 55 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed, but is protected by the shoulder bone. The deer would probably see you move to prepare for the shot.
Quartering Away (steep angle)
About 55 percent of the heart-lung area is exposed. Aim along an imaginary line exiting low on the far shoulder. In this position the deer is not likely to see your movement.
20 Yards Out
http://www.iowawhitetail.com Iowa's number one resource for the whitetail deer.