For over fifty years I have been hunting. Hundreds of kills. A fair amount of misses. And most disappointing a few not retrieved. This video is the single best explanation of “Where to Aim” that I have ever seen. Pictures help. However explanations like yours can save newer members of our fulfilling sport years of experience. Thank you! Vince
First time I see a video from DesertDog, but the information received here is premium (even though not new). Finally an intelligent person who understands hunting ballistics.
This is one of the best videos you’ve posted. Most hunters would do well to watch it a few times, so much useful information packed in every minute! Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts on such an important part of the hunting process!
Great video. After having harvested hundreds of animals in Europe and Canada I can only agree with everything you said. I shot Nosler Partitions since 1977 with great success and now use Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets too in many calibers from .416 down to 7mm. For me it was always an ethical rule, to not pull the trigger when I couldn't get a clean shot, even if a good trophy animal got away. It is 100 times better to pass up an animal than to wound and loose one!
I totally agree. I lost my first deer this year, and it felt horrible. I rushed the shot at 250 yards, and saw it limp away, but never found it and it had minimal blood, just one tiny spot. So, I quit for that weekend. I went the next weekend, and saw a 10 point buck, and I told myself I had to calm down or I wasn't shooting. Thankfully he took his time just standing there at 250 yards, and I had time to lay down, and calm right down, and get myself in order before taking the shot. Drilled him really good, and then stood up and somehow, freehand, while standing shot him again as a followup shot. I was so happy I got not only my first ever buck, but he was an old and thick antlered 10 pointer. Couldn't ask for any better. Learned a lot this year about myself and hunting, and it helped me develop my personal ethic on when to take the shot, and what my priorities are. I like your ethic too, I think it's the right way to go about it. Animals arn't humans, but suffering is suffering regardless, and it sucks to see it in any creature.
Here in the UK copper is becoming much more common as we head to Californian style legislation. Having taken out many hunting clients I can echo your observations about deer running further when shot with copper bullets which is why your advice about shot placement is pertinent. Another excellent bullshit free presentation.
If you transition to lead-free, you need to go to a larger caliber (larger bore size) and a lower sectional density of the bullet. That often means a larger case capacity as well. In Europe, for instance, the 160 grain 8 mm and the 185 grain .338 caliber TTSX bullets have been proven to be excellent with double lung shots behind the shoulder on red stag and wild boar. 8x68S and .338 Blaser Magnum.
@@meh_tr0 UK "deer" (it is very unspecific) are typically tiny. Roe deer, sika deer, water deer, Reeves' muntjac are minuscule, and the default caliber used on those animals is the .243 Winchester. I can imagine that @bentaylor216 refers to this caliber and these animals in his comment. If the available lead-free alternatives in .243 Win lack the expected effectivity, I would consider switching to .308 Win and a really light, 110-130 grain expanding copper bullet. Nothing heavier.
Hunting in the Northeast, in the woods. The 30/30 .35 Remington is very popular because most shots are under 100 yards. Shot Placement! The high shoulder shot will always drop a deer. Tracking a deer is not an option with many neighbors not allowing you to enter their property to retrieve or track a deer.
Just got back from deer hunting with my sons for 2 1/2 days and we got 2 deer. My oldest son shot one 29 minutes into the hunt and it was looking almost straight at him so he hit it high shoulder and it went through the back strap quartering and ruined very little meat and dropped like a sack of potato’s! I shot one the next day about a hour before dark and it kept moving between the trees and finally shot it between two trees and hit it right through the top of the spine about 3” inches down and it dropped but was trying to get away by dragging its body with its front legs while on the ground! It moved just as I was putting the crosshairs behind the front shoulder. Finished it off with a pistol shit to the head. 3” higher and I would have missed the animism completely. It ruined just a little back strap but both front and rear shoulders and hams were in perfect shape. I have been hunting 60+ years and I reload and well as being a gun collector and I thank you for teaching our young ones about hunting because a lot of them don’t have a father figure in their lives! I am bless because I have 7 kids and 3 of the four boys hunt! Thanks for another great video!
I've been watching tens of videos about this and all of them have some variation of advice and information, whilst not necessarily disagreeing with the others. Nonetheless, it has been quite confusing. This video is a lifesaver and it is always a breath of fresh air when you have someone at the end of the dunning curve that can say "heres the real shit and not the bullshit". Great video and thank you.
My son used a 120gn Hornady CX bullet at 2950 fps last year on a whitetail. Perfect double lung. When dressing it there was not a single piece of lung connected or bigger than a childs fist. 10 yards and down. I am now swpping to solid coppers for all my hunting loads.
Bullshit free is why we’re here! Every shot is going to be different and reading the situation, knowing the anatomy of the animal you’re after, using the correct bullet for the job and deciding which shot placement to go for each time are very important. Have a great weekend Dog of the Desert!
My 257Wby loaded with 100gr Barnes TTSX has made a lasting impression on 4 elk so far. Last Tuesday (Oct 10th) I used my 9.3x62 for a 300yd shot on a 6x5 bull elk using a Barnes 250gr TTSX made a complete pass through with a high shoulder shot. Immediate knockdown and the bull couldn't get up, died within the 20 minutes it took me to make sure he wasn't getting up, and the time it took me to get to him. For me, even in Idaho where we can use almost any bullet, it's Barnes TTSX for everything. I used Barnes x bullets back in the early 2000's in Californie for blacktail an pigs with great results! I've been a Barnes fan for almost 25yrs.
First time deer hunter, and have taken 3 of 3 for the season. Had an old hunter tell me to use the behind the sholder shot and i will most likely never use another shot unless it is impossible to make. All 3 went under 10 yards fell down and died. Gun used ruger m77 mark II in 30-06, ammo used is remington core lokt 160g. Fantastic video, thanks for the information.
Definitely not a BS video. Last week during the veterans deer hunt down here, I had stretched my time out as long as I could without missing a meeting by making a decision or leave at 10:30. At 10:23, I saw a deer about 150 yards out and moving towards the river. Knowing I had no time to track a deer and certainly not one that was able to get into or cross the river, I opted for a high shoulder shot. It was definitely a bang/flop, and I was able to get the deer and make the meeting at 1.
Great presentation! Even though they are not mandated in my state, I prefer monolithic projectiles with the classic or high shoulder shot. They typically work really well. When I first started using monolithics, I got similar delayed kills as you mentioned. Once I switched shot placement, it was much more effective.
Desert Dog, I loved this video. I enjoyed every bit of it, and watched it several times. We all are familiar with the subject, it has been covered over and over again, but the way you addressed it, is excellent. I paid especial attention to the difference the copper vs lead bullets make for you. I do not have any experience with those monolithic bullets, since in Spain they are not YET mandatory. I hope we can use lead bullets for many more years to come. Nevertheless, I always figured that you'd better hit bone with them, and that is exactly what you are advising. I concur with you all the way. All other variables are comprehensibly covered and well reasoned.
Excellent video! I'm a firm believer in the high shoulder shot. I'm in the northeast and hunt on higher ground and quite honestly, I don't want to have to track a deer all over the top of the "mountain ". Of course you need to place your bullet as precise as possible. I'll tell you, it drops them instantly. Again, Excellent video 👍
The high shoulder shot only assumes that you get a perfect (or close to perfect) broadside shot; and that isn't always the case. On bears, the scapula is almost impossible to visually locate sometimes. What if you're in an open area and you decide not to destroy ant meat? What if you are forced to use a mono-metal bullet? Shot placement is situational. But I do love the high shoulder shot if I can get it.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 it is situational for sure. Luckily on several occasions with whitetails, I've been fortunate enough to have broadside shots all except for one that was quartering away..... I actually went for the base of the neck and it worked. My rifle was well sighted in and I trusted it..... it was more about trusting my ability to be accurate in my shooting. I'm of course a believer in quick kills, that shot worked like a charm. I prefer skeletal shots and it is how I think 99% of the time. That's just me. I know heart and lung shots get the job done as well.
Thank you again for sharing your perspectives based in experience and reason. This approach is what separates you from the other hunting and shooting content creators.
Glad you mentioned all copper bullets creating longer runs on double lung hits. My experience has been that double lung and heart shots using Barnes TTSX bullets on whitetail deer in Virginia generates similar length mad dashes before expiration.
My sons are deer hunting for the first time this coming season with rifles (270 Win). I've been sending a couple videos here and there on shot placement but yours is the best I've seen. Just sent to both of them. One son is using 150 Ballistic tips over VVN165 and the other is using 130 TTSX over Superformance
Bet you, the 150 gr ballistic tip is going to result in a lot of minced meat and exploded internals at the high speeds of the 270 Win. They work very well at muzzle speeds lower than 2500 ft/sec but they tend to blow up at the speeds of the 270 Win. I've seen a Caribou where they messed up the shoulder and didn't even reach the broiler room.
@@stefanschug5490 Since 1991, I've had nothing but optimal performance with nosler ballistic tips in all of my rifles, most are 270 Win - perfect damage to vitals, never recovered one. Closest shot at 6 yards, longest around 225
Well we all experience different scenarios. For me up here in Canada hunting moose, elk, caribou and larger bears a hunting bullet has to be tougher and not a simple cup and core bullet. Nosler Partitions, Barnes X, Hornady GMX, Speer Grand Slam, Swift A Frame and the bonded bullets are in my opinion the better choice. For smaller animals like Sitka Deer, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer as well as Pronghorn it likely doesn't matter that much, but I recovered Cal .30 cup and core bullets from two moose shoulders in old pus cysts that had totally come apart and did not penetrate more than 5-6 inches. @@Accuracy1st
I prefer the first shot you talked about when available. I hunt white tail because we don’t have other big game where I live, but heart and lung shots are very effective but yes often it’ll run or walk away and lay down elsewhere to die. Sometimes it flat falls over where you hit it depending on known and unknown circumstances. I’ve hit them double lung and they fell right over with 25-06 and chest cavity full of blood jello. But I have hit them the same and they run 15 yards, or 50 yards. I like using 30-30 these last several years and depending how far they are when I hit them they fall over where they stand and some have run 100-200 yards. have hit her spine twice in last 3 years were accidents, misjudged range caused high shots. They do flip right over though but it tears up back straps. I have hit the head before but long range’s don’t present where I live and hunt.
Before my first hunt ever, my Uncle sort of did shot placement “flashcards” with me. Flipping through hunting magazines and marking the pictures of deer with a pen where I thought the shot should be and he would correct me and explain if I got any wrong. On the very few hunts I’ve been on, I have always used Remington Core-Lokt .270 win in my Weatherby Vanguard with the entry level Zeiss Conquest Scope. On my 2nd ever hunt I made a perfect heart shot at 200 yds which I remember everyone was impressed with. I lost interest in hunting for a long time after some bad experiences being shunned for taking bucks that were “too small” on two separate instances (i was a teenager who never had interest in hunting so didnt know). One was a yearling spike i thought was a doe, got banned from the hunting camp… the other was a trophy Axis hunt where I took a somewhat young buck with a rack that would be really really nice for a whitetail.. but turned out not so impressive for an Axis. I didn’t know any better, but everyone was really upset with me. Turns out they paid like $10,000 for me to go on this hunt. Well the damn shoulder mount barely fits on my wall as it is, and if it had a really nice “trophy” rack, then I’m not sure what I’d even do with it lol. So its the perfect size in my opinion… my Uncle has since passed so I no longer have a mentor, but i’m finally getting back into hunting. I’ve seen a few videos where people have said its un-sportsmanlike to criticize people for the size of their kill as long as its legal, so I don’t feel so bad about it anymore.
Lots of good info. When i first started archery hunting i went for the behind the shoulder shot and ended up shooting a bunch of deer in the liver. Apparently im not good at judging how far behind in aiming. Started following the front leg straight up into the body and havent had an issue since. I do the same with a rifle especially since i shoot all coppers. Is amazing how many people dont understand how bullet construction impacts shot placement. People shoot deer in the shoulder with a .223 using a vmax then claim that .223 is no good for deer. Had they used a barnes bullet or just went double lung the results would be vastly different.
Excellent video. And very much needed. Though, I may never get to Africa. In this lifetime. Shoulder injury at work , and I may never shoot my african rifles again .
Thanks for great and very informative video! For standing animals you have more options to choose. For moving animal, for example running moose, the lungs are the best target.
Great video post! I chose to use my ironsighted REM700 in 30'06 backed up with handloaded the 180 Partition to accuracy specific to my rifle. I had a successful moose hunt this year, ive called a 3 spike to within 20 paces. I waited patiently till it moved broadside then took aim and sent one. I took a headshot, dropped'em where he stood. The day before a nice bull came out but to take a good headshot was way too windy and I had declined to attempt such a shot @125 paces even after mounting my scope from my backpack. Your 100% right an ethical hunter needs to be knowledgeable regarding what type of shot will bring down an animal instantly. Confidence is also key👍
Great vid as always, I've liked the shoulder shot for the forgiveness and meat saving. What Iwas taught was that you find the elbow, and go a fist's height up from it. 9/10, this shot will be on the top of the heart, orthe major vessels that feed into the heart. Every deer I've shot they've gone 50 yds or less. And while dressing them there was alost never a need to drain them from the sheer loss of blood in the cavity.
I have hunted for a long time. My first shot is the one I focus on. I see close shots a no go because trees or brush. Same experience with cooper bullets. Great information and so important for a good kill.
Actually I really like this video too I've been hunting for a very long time and probably have tooken every shot you could take but everything you said is the truth no b******* it's all about shot placement and angles where the vitals are located very good video All good information for someone to learn and know
I always go high shoulder with the .243 Win as I found just what you mentioned with the double lung shot. It does not do enough damage to put a big whitetail down without running a good distance and risking an extended tracking session. First one goes in the high shoulder. Followed by the double lung to finish the deal.
One thing I would add about the neck shot is to shoot at the lower part of the neck, not at the base of the head. My dad was a fan of the neck shot but at the base of the nect close to the body. He shot a lot of deer.
The base of the neck near the body is an incredibly hard shot to make. The spine shifts position as the animal turns his head and/or lowers his head. It's a very risky shot. Shooting near the base of the skull gives you a solid reference of where the spine is located at any given position. Most use the ear holes or anntler bases as a reference.
My preference now is to shoot through the front legs/low shoulder. It wasn't always my preference. I used to shoot behind the leg if I got a broadside. Try to do an anchoring shot.
Absolutely correct. I've passed on a couple of good bucks this year because I couldn't get a good shot. It gives you that sick feeling in your gut, but it's the right thing to do.
Hi Dog, i am a german hunter and i dont speak not so good the American Language. You speaking for me very good and i dont need the Translation from RUclips. For German Animals i prefer a high Schoulder Schot, but not so high as you showed in your Pictures. I take a Point betwen your Shoulder shot and the high Schoulder shot, that works best for me. I love when the Animal goes 20 or 35 Yards, then the most blood is pumped out of the Muscles.
I think he shows it that high, because then there is also a chance of hitting the vertebrae, dropping the animal in its tracks. The whole point of the high shoulder shot is anchoring the animal in one spot, avoiding tracking it or losing it to bad terrain
thank you for pointing out how full of shit everyone is on hunting forums, i stay off of them just because i know 99% of the people are lying through their teeth and living vicariously through someone else’s experiences
Another factor for me being one of those guys in the East it depends on if it is in the morning or evening. Morning I have light and time to track. Evening I don’t. Or if it’s raining. I’d like to know what you think about bonded and what bullet you would use if you were a 200 yard and in east cost deer hunter.
Excellent point on morning vs evening. In retrospect, I should have included that in the video. If I was hunting East Coast Whitetails 200 yards max; I'd take the Nosler Partition over anything else.
I was taught dubble lungshoot/ dubble lung shoot/ heart. Mostley using hornady interlock bullet in 6,5x55,308w, in My 338wm for deerhunting I use hornady sst. Have liqvified the lungs om most shoots with those bullets, No long runs,
The slide at 13:34 is excellent - showing the vital organs from different angles. I understand that you aren’t in the East but wish you could go into more detail about shot placement from a tree stand. Any books you could recommend on anatomy of North American game animals?
I agree. How can I get my deer down faster next year than this year. With my rifle and how can I be a better hunter?👍🏻ps… and I got an 8 pointer this year. And he did not want to die after I killed him. So this is why I am asking you these questions. About my hunting. So how can I get a better aim at my deer with my rifle. And become a better hunter?👍🏻
Desert Dog -- this was a great video. I am not an experienced hunter, having only taken 3 Mule Deer in Montana. I used neck shots. Whether the shots hit the spine or not, definitely blew up the aorta, and all deer fell over dead on arrival. What do you think of hydrostatic damage regarding neck shot ?
Oh Yeah Mr.Desert SO AND SO ! Let me tell you a thing or two! I heard your remarks Pal ! And you are going to make remarks like that well then you are going to be correct and that is what you are supposed to do! Slams hand on table I can’t stand the inter web ! This fellow is correct and that’s just awful to have to admit! 😂 ❤😂😮😮
I was really hoping you could coach me on how to make a 600 yard shot on a running deer with my four inch M29. Open stock sights and offhand of course. oO
Greetings from New Zealand Great video - thank you! So, what’s your wife’s recipe for those shoulder roasts you keep saving? Must be absolutely worth it, seems she has the last say on shot placement 😉
For over fifty years I have been hunting. Hundreds of kills. A fair amount of misses. And most disappointing a few not retrieved. This video is the single best explanation of “Where to Aim” that I have ever seen. Pictures help. However explanations like yours can save newer members of our fulfilling sport years of experience. Thank you! Vince
This channel will be the Hunter Bible for the generations to come. No joke, this is a treasure.
First time I see a video from DesertDog, but the information received here is premium (even though not new). Finally an intelligent person who understands hunting ballistics.
This is one of the best videos you’ve posted. Most hunters would do well to watch it a few times, so much useful information packed in every minute! Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts on such an important part of the hunting process!
this is the best video on this subject I've seen.
Thank you.
good advice on shot placement. I changed from "behind the shoulder" to middle of the shoulder years ago. Got tired of following blood trails.
Great video. After having harvested hundreds of animals in Europe and Canada I can only agree with everything you said. I shot Nosler Partitions since 1977 with great success and now use Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets too in many calibers from .416 down to 7mm. For me it was always an ethical rule, to not pull the trigger when I couldn't get a clean shot, even if a good trophy animal got away. It is 100 times better to pass up an animal than to wound and loose one!
I totally agree. I lost my first deer this year, and it felt horrible. I rushed the shot at 250 yards, and saw it limp away, but never found it and it had minimal blood, just one tiny spot. So, I quit for that weekend. I went the next weekend, and saw a 10 point buck, and I told myself I had to calm down or I wasn't shooting. Thankfully he took his time just standing there at 250 yards, and I had time to lay down, and calm right down, and get myself in order before taking the shot. Drilled him really good, and then stood up and somehow, freehand, while standing shot him again as a followup shot. I was so happy I got not only my first ever buck, but he was an old and thick antlered 10 pointer. Couldn't ask for any better. Learned a lot this year about myself and hunting, and it helped me develop my personal ethic on when to take the shot, and what my priorities are. I like your ethic too, I think it's the right way to go about it. Animals arn't humans, but suffering is suffering regardless, and it sucks to see it in any creature.
Excellent info. BS free as advertised. Thank you.
This is a great video that every rifle hunter should watch.
An incredibly in depth and thorough presentation DDO! Every new hunter should watch this video. Well done!
This man really knows his stuff
Lmao, he doesn't know crap.
@steelsalad3124
Then Thrill us all with your supreme knowledge and experience c 🤣
@@Knotrocketsanother Keyboard commando
Here in the UK copper is becoming much more common as we head to Californian style legislation. Having taken out many hunting clients I can echo your observations about deer running further when shot with copper bullets which is why your advice about shot placement is pertinent. Another excellent bullshit free presentation.
If you transition to lead-free, you need to go to a larger caliber (larger bore size) and a lower sectional density of the bullet. That often means a larger case capacity as well. In Europe, for instance, the 160 grain 8 mm and the 185 grain .338 caliber TTSX bullets have been proven to be excellent with double lung shots behind the shoulder on red stag and wild boar. 8x68S and .338 Blaser Magnum.
A lot of elk hunters here in Montana are switching to copper just for the encreased penetration
@@meh_tr0 UK "deer" (it is very unspecific) are typically tiny. Roe deer, sika deer, water deer, Reeves' muntjac are minuscule, and the default caliber used on those animals is the .243 Winchester. I can imagine that @bentaylor216 refers to this caliber and these animals in his comment. If the available lead-free alternatives in .243 Win lack the expected effectivity, I would consider switching to .308 Win and a really light, 110-130 grain expanding copper bullet. Nothing heavier.
@@georgejohnsmithneither he or I mentioned anything about caliber. Just bullet construction.
You have some of the best videos on RUclips. Thanks for taking the time. This one is excellent as always!
Hunting in the Northeast, in the woods. The 30/30 .35 Remington is very popular because most shots are under 100 yards. Shot Placement!
The high shoulder shot will always drop a deer. Tracking a deer is not an option with many neighbors not allowing you to enter their property to retrieve or track a deer.
Thanks for the info on copper bullets. I stopped deer hunting in California because of that requirement. I’ll have to consider the high shoulder shot.
Just got back from deer hunting with my sons for 2 1/2 days and we got 2 deer. My oldest son shot one 29 minutes into the hunt and it was looking almost straight at him so he hit it high shoulder and it went through the back strap quartering and ruined very little meat and dropped like a sack of potato’s! I shot one the next day about a hour before dark and it kept moving between the trees and finally shot it between two trees and hit it right through the top of the spine about 3” inches down and it dropped but was trying to get away by dragging its body with its front legs while on the ground! It moved just as I was putting the crosshairs behind the front shoulder. Finished it off with a pistol shit to the head. 3” higher and I would have missed the animism completely. It ruined just a little back strap but both front and rear shoulders and hams were in perfect shape. I have been hunting 60+ years and I reload and well as being a gun collector and I thank you for teaching our young ones about hunting because a lot of them don’t have a father figure in their lives! I am bless because I have 7 kids and 3 of the four boys hunt! Thanks for another great video!
Great video sir. I agree with you 100%.
I've been watching tens of videos about this and all of them have some variation of advice and information, whilst not necessarily disagreeing with the others. Nonetheless, it has been quite confusing.
This video is a lifesaver and it is always a breath of fresh air when you have someone at the end of the dunning curve that can say "heres the real shit and not the bullshit".
Great video and thank you.
My son used a 120gn Hornady CX bullet at 2950 fps last year on a whitetail. Perfect double lung. When dressing it there was not a single piece of lung connected or bigger than a childs fist. 10 yards and down. I am now swpping to solid coppers for all my hunting loads.
Bullshit free is why we’re here! Every shot is going to be different and reading the situation, knowing the anatomy of the animal you’re after, using the correct bullet for the job and deciding which shot placement to go for each time are very important. Have a great weekend Dog of the Desert!
My 257Wby loaded with 100gr Barnes TTSX has made a lasting impression on 4 elk so far.
Last Tuesday (Oct 10th) I used my 9.3x62 for a 300yd shot on a 6x5 bull elk using a Barnes 250gr TTSX made a complete pass through with a high shoulder shot. Immediate knockdown and the bull couldn't get up, died within the 20 minutes it took me to make sure he wasn't getting up, and the time it took me to get to him. For me, even in Idaho where we can use almost any bullet, it's Barnes TTSX for everything.
I used Barnes x bullets back in the early 2000's in Californie for blacktail an pigs with great results!
I've been a Barnes fan for almost 25yrs.
First time deer hunter, and have taken 3 of 3 for the season. Had an old hunter tell me to use the behind the sholder shot and i will most likely never use another shot unless it is impossible to make. All 3 went under 10 yards fell down and died. Gun used ruger m77 mark II in 30-06, ammo used is remington core lokt 160g. Fantastic video, thanks for the information.
Definitely not a BS video. Last week during the veterans deer hunt down here, I had stretched my time out as long as I could without missing a meeting by making a decision or leave at 10:30. At 10:23, I saw a deer about 150 yards out and moving towards the river. Knowing I had no time to track a deer and certainly not one that was able to get into or cross the river, I opted for a high shoulder shot. It was definitely a bang/flop, and I was able to get the deer and make the meeting at 1.
Great presentation! Even though they are not mandated in my state, I prefer monolithic projectiles with the classic or high shoulder shot. They typically work really well. When I first started using monolithics, I got similar delayed kills as you mentioned. Once I switched shot placement, it was much more effective.
Sound information. Thank you.
Desert Dog, I loved this video. I enjoyed every bit of it, and watched it several times. We all are familiar with the subject, it has been covered over and over again, but the way you addressed it, is excellent. I paid especial attention to the difference the copper vs lead bullets make for you. I do not have any experience with those monolithic bullets, since in Spain they are not YET mandatory. I hope we can use lead bullets for many more years to come. Nevertheless, I always figured that you'd better hit bone with them, and that is exactly what you are advising. I concur with you all the way. All other variables are comprehensibly covered and well reasoned.
I’ve used monolithic bullets for roughly twenty years. I’ve never recovered one.
As a brand new hunter studying my way into the sport/hobby, I greatly appreciate this video. Liked & subed! Thank you.
Thank You For The Truth No BS Shoulder Shot For Sure Been Doing It For 50 Plus Years In Most Hunting Situations
Spot on! Exactly what I teach in Hunters Ed.
Excellent video! I'm a firm believer in the high shoulder shot.
I'm in the northeast and hunt on higher ground and quite honestly, I don't want to have to track a deer all over the top of the "mountain ".
Of course you need to place your bullet as precise as possible.
I'll tell you, it drops them instantly.
Again, Excellent video 👍
The high shoulder shot only assumes that you get a perfect (or close to perfect) broadside shot; and that isn't always the case. On bears, the scapula is almost impossible to visually locate sometimes. What if you're in an open area and you decide not to destroy ant meat? What if you are forced to use a mono-metal bullet? Shot placement is situational. But I do love the high shoulder shot if I can get it.
@@desertdogoutdoors1113 it is situational for sure. Luckily on several occasions with whitetails, I've been fortunate enough to have broadside shots all except for one that was quartering away..... I actually went for the base of the neck and it worked.
My rifle was well sighted in and I trusted it..... it was more about trusting my ability to be accurate in my shooting.
I'm of course a believer in quick kills, that shot worked like a charm.
I prefer skeletal shots and it is how I think 99% of the time. That's just me.
I know heart and lung shots get the job done as well.
Great video!
Thank you again for sharing your perspectives based in experience and reason. This approach is what separates you from the other hunting and shooting content creators.
Great video, DD!
Very good video. Thanks for sharing.
Great explanation DD. Definitely a must watch for new hunters and something for those with varying levels of experience.
Glad you mentioned all copper bullets creating longer runs on double lung hits. My experience has been that double lung and heart shots using Barnes TTSX bullets on whitetail deer in Virginia generates similar length mad dashes before expiration.
Thanks; this is a great detailed video.
Great, thank you very much!
I use this shot placement . Totally hammers them! Depending on bullet type/size ,usually leaves plenty for the grinder from the front quarters
again, the video is awesome. editing was perfect and i can tell you soent alot of time getting it all together. good job man!
My sons are deer hunting for the first time this coming season with rifles (270 Win). I've been sending a couple videos here and there on shot placement but yours is the best I've seen. Just sent to both of them. One son is using 150 Ballistic tips over VVN165 and the other is using 130 TTSX over Superformance
Bet you, the 150 gr ballistic tip is going to result in a lot of minced meat and exploded internals at the high speeds of the 270 Win. They work very well at muzzle speeds lower than 2500 ft/sec but they tend to blow up at the speeds of the 270 Win. I've seen a Caribou where they messed up the shoulder and didn't even reach the broiler room.
@@stefanschug5490 Since 1991, I've had nothing but optimal performance with nosler ballistic tips in all of my rifles, most are 270 Win - perfect damage to vitals, never recovered one. Closest shot at 6 yards, longest around 225
@@stefanschug5490 I saw the same thing happen to a pronghorn in TX with a 150 SST from a 308 at over 200 yards. The hunter shot the animal 5x total
Well we all experience different scenarios. For me up here in Canada hunting moose, elk, caribou and larger bears a hunting bullet has to be tougher and not a simple cup and core bullet. Nosler Partitions, Barnes X, Hornady GMX, Speer Grand Slam, Swift A Frame and the bonded bullets are in my opinion the better choice. For smaller animals like Sitka Deer, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer as well as Pronghorn it likely doesn't matter that much, but I recovered Cal .30 cup and core bullets from two moose shoulders in old pus cysts that had totally come apart and did not penetrate more than 5-6 inches. @@Accuracy1st
My experience with Ballistic Tips on deer shoulders and quartering shots is less than impressive.
What a timely video.
Great video
Great video,
Very good information,
I appreciate how straight forward and honest desert dog is definitely no bull shit there
Great job!! ( Dr. Ed Ashby)
Knock out the front wheel drive barns baby!!
I prefer the first shot you talked about when available. I hunt white tail because we don’t have other big game where I live, but heart and lung shots are very effective but yes often it’ll run or walk away and lay down elsewhere to die. Sometimes it flat falls over where you hit it depending on known and unknown circumstances. I’ve hit them double lung and they fell right over with 25-06 and chest cavity full of blood jello. But I have hit them the same and they run 15 yards, or 50 yards. I like using 30-30 these last several years and depending how far they are when I hit them they fall over where they stand and some have run 100-200 yards. have hit her spine twice in last 3 years were accidents, misjudged range caused high shots. They do flip right over though but it tears up back straps. I have hit the head before but long range’s don’t present where I live and hunt.
Great video.
Before my first hunt ever, my Uncle sort of did shot placement “flashcards” with me. Flipping through hunting magazines and marking the pictures of deer with a pen where I thought the shot should be and he would correct me and explain if I got any wrong. On the very few hunts I’ve been on, I have always used Remington Core-Lokt .270 win in my Weatherby Vanguard with the entry level Zeiss Conquest Scope. On my 2nd ever hunt I made a perfect heart shot at 200 yds which I remember everyone was impressed with. I lost interest in hunting for a long time after some bad experiences being shunned for taking bucks that were “too small” on two separate instances (i was a teenager who never had interest in hunting so didnt know). One was a yearling spike i thought was a doe, got banned from the hunting camp… the other was a trophy Axis hunt where I took a somewhat young buck with a rack that would be really really nice for a whitetail.. but turned out not so impressive for an Axis. I didn’t know any better, but everyone was really upset with me. Turns out they paid like $10,000 for me to go on this hunt. Well the damn shoulder mount barely fits on my wall as it is, and if it had a really nice “trophy” rack, then I’m not sure what I’d even do with it lol. So its the perfect size in my opinion… my Uncle has since passed so I no longer have a mentor, but i’m finally getting back into hunting. I’ve seen a few videos where people have said its un-sportsmanlike to criticize people for the size of their kill as long as its legal, so I don’t feel so bad about it anymore.
😂 internet forums are BS Depositories. That is the truest thing I have Heard this year.
Lots of good info. When i first started archery hunting i went for the behind the shoulder shot and ended up shooting a bunch of deer in the liver. Apparently im not good at judging how far behind in aiming. Started following the front leg straight up into the body and havent had an issue since. I do the same with a rifle especially since i shoot all coppers. Is amazing how many people dont understand how bullet construction impacts shot placement. People shoot deer in the shoulder with a .223 using a vmax then claim that .223 is no good for deer. Had they used a barnes bullet or just went double lung the results would be vastly different.
Excellent video. And very much needed. Though, I may never get to Africa. In this lifetime. Shoulder injury at work , and I may never shoot my african rifles again .
This is an excellent, informative and correct video. Great job.
Awesome video, thanks
Usefull lecture desert dog, thanks
Thanks for great and very informative video! For standing animals you have more options to choose. For moving animal, for example running moose, the lungs are the best target.
Great video post! I chose to use my ironsighted REM700 in 30'06 backed up with handloaded the 180 Partition to accuracy specific to my rifle. I had a successful moose hunt this year, ive called a 3 spike to within 20 paces. I waited patiently till it moved broadside then took aim and sent one. I took a headshot, dropped'em where he stood. The day before a nice bull came out but to take a good headshot was way too windy and I had declined to attempt such a shot @125 paces even after mounting my scope from my backpack. Your 100% right an ethical hunter needs to be knowledgeable regarding what type of shot will bring down an animal instantly. Confidence is also key👍
Excelent, thank you! 😀
Great vid as always, I've liked the shoulder shot for the forgiveness and meat saving. What Iwas taught was that you find the elbow, and go a fist's height up from it. 9/10, this shot will be on the top of the heart, orthe major vessels that feed into the heart. Every deer I've shot they've gone 50 yds or less. And while dressing them there was alost never a need to drain them from the sheer loss of blood in the cavity.
I have hunted for a long time. My first shot is the one I focus on. I see close shots a no go because trees or brush. Same experience with cooper bullets. Great information and so important for a good kill.
Best lecture ever😊
Great video! I just took an elk with a double lung shot with a Accubond. He took a couple of steps and collapsed.
The Accubond is a fantastic bullet.
Archery term, RDub. 😅
Great Educational Video! Be sure to use a big enough Caliber to get the Animal down clean
Actually I really like this video too I've been hunting for a very long time and probably have tooken every shot you could take but everything you said is the truth no b******* it's all about shot placement and angles where the vitals are located very good video All good information for someone to learn and know
Classic shoulder shot is what I’ve used for 50 years. It’s what my father taught me and It’s what I will stick with
Excellent.
Well done!
I always go high shoulder with the .243 Win as I found just what you mentioned with the double lung shot. It does not do enough damage to put a big whitetail down without running a good distance and risking an extended tracking session. First one goes in the high shoulder. Followed by the double lung to finish the deal.
kick ass intro!
One thing I would add about the neck shot is to shoot at the lower part of the neck, not at the base of the head. My dad was a fan of the neck shot but at the base of the nect close to the body. He shot a lot of deer.
The base of the neck near the body is an incredibly hard shot to make. The spine shifts position as the animal turns his head and/or lowers his head. It's a very risky shot. Shooting near the base of the skull gives you a solid reference of where the spine is located at any given position. Most use the ear holes or anntler bases as a reference.
Thanks again for all the good information
What I’d give to sit down with you and have a beer and BS. Cheers 👍
My preference now is to shoot through the front legs/low shoulder. It wasn't always my preference. I used to shoot behind the leg if I got a broadside. Try to do an anchoring shot.
I’m a huge fan of bullshit free.
Well done. Thank you
Good comments. Thank you.
I'm thinking this video needs to be included in the Hunter safety course !
Muy buen video!! Éxitos!!!
The most difficult shot is the one passed up because conditions did not point to a clean and reliable kill.
Absolutely correct. I've passed on a couple of good bucks this year because I couldn't get a good shot. It gives you that sick feeling in your gut, but it's the right thing to do.
Top Shelf Hunter
Your. Right. In. What. You. Say. Good. Information.
Hi Dog, i am a german hunter and i dont speak not so good the American Language. You speaking for me very good and i dont need the Translation from RUclips. For German Animals i prefer a high Schoulder Schot, but not so high as you showed in your Pictures. I take a Point betwen your Shoulder shot and the high Schoulder shot, that works best for me. I love when the Animal goes 20 or 35 Yards, then the most blood is pumped out of the Muscles.
I think he shows it that high, because then there is also a chance of hitting the vertebrae, dropping the animal in its tracks. The whole point of the high shoulder shot is anchoring the animal in one spot, avoiding tracking it or losing it to bad terrain
thank you for pointing out how full of shit everyone is on hunting forums, i stay off of them just because i know 99% of the people are lying through their teeth and living vicariously through someone else’s experiences
Another factor for me being one of those guys in the East it depends on if it is in the morning or evening. Morning I have light and time to track. Evening I don’t. Or if it’s raining. I’d like to know what you think about bonded and what bullet you would use if you were a 200 yard and in east cost deer hunter.
Excellent point on morning vs evening. In retrospect, I should have included that in the video. If I was hunting East Coast Whitetails 200 yards max; I'd take the Nosler Partition over anything else.
I was taught dubble lungshoot/ dubble lung shoot/ heart. Mostley using hornady interlock bullet in 6,5x55,308w, in My 338wm for deerhunting I use hornady sst. Have liqvified the lungs om most shoots with those bullets, No long runs,
The slide at 13:34 is excellent - showing the vital organs from different angles. I understand that you aren’t in the East but wish you could go into more detail about shot placement from a tree stand.
Any books you could recommend on anatomy of North American game animals?
I agree. How can I get my deer down faster next year than this year. With my rifle and how can I be a better hunter?👍🏻ps… and I got an 8 pointer this year. And he did not want to die after I killed him. So this is why I am asking you these questions. About my hunting. So how can I get a better aim at my deer with my rifle. And become a better hunter?👍🏻
👍👍👍
Desert Dog -- this was a great video. I am not an experienced hunter, having only taken 3 Mule Deer in Montana. I used neck shots. Whether the shots hit the spine or not, definitely blew up the aorta, and all deer fell over dead on arrival. What do you think of hydrostatic damage regarding neck shot ?
Oh Yeah Mr.Desert SO AND SO ! Let me tell you a thing or two! I heard your remarks Pal ! And you are going to make remarks like that well then you are going to be correct and that is what you are supposed to do!
Slams hand on table I can’t stand the inter web ! This fellow is correct and that’s just awful to have to admit! 😂 ❤😂😮😮
👍
great video nice picture of zebra at back
agree 100%
I was really hoping you could coach me on how to make a 600 yard shot on a running deer with my four inch M29. Open stock sights and offhand of course. oO
Right now, you can enroll in my long-range compact pistol hunting course. You'll be launching gold dots out of your 380, and folding deer at 500 easy.
C'mon now Hillbilly. We've been over this before. Haha
Aaron Snider from kifaru international did another fantastic shot placement video. But it was geared towards archery hunting.
Perfect timing on this. Did you get to hunt A-Zone this year?
I'm hunting D9 and D13
No matter what shot you choose your tracking skills will eventually be used.
Greetings from New Zealand
Great video - thank you! So, what’s your wife’s recipe for those shoulder roasts you keep saving? Must be absolutely worth it, seems she has the last say on shot placement 😉
It's her secret. They are slow-cooked in a crock or a pressure cooker; and are so tender, every bite melts in your mouth.
What about the charging bear or moose ?
Brain pan with Barnes!
Please do a shot placment video for hogs, I havent been able to find any good ones
I'd just add one thing to this awesome video, once you hit bone, bullets some times do unpredictable things. just saying.