Here are some deer hunting tips on where to shoot the deer. Taking a shot has a lot to do with the position of the deer facing you. You want a clean, quick kill. A wounded deer suffers unnecessary pain, and is more difficult to recover. That’s why you need to know the deer’s anatomy- out of respect for the animal, and to bag the deer more efficiently.

Shots with a bow are less powerful than with a rifle. This means with a bow you have to be more accurate as the rib cage can deflect your shot away from the vital organs.

As always, know what your target is and what lies beyond it.

+ broadside

The ideal shot. Aim behind the front leg and below the shoulder.

+ quartering away

Good shot. Aim so that the arrow passes through to the opposite front leg.

-frontal shot

Likely to be deflected by rib cage due to angle

-rear shot

irresponsible, almost guarantees wounding

-quartering towards

the vitals are protected by the shoulder blade and front leg

Study the deer’s anatomy. Taking out both lungs, the heart, the liver or the spine will result in a clean kill. Hitting the neck is more risky, but also works.