Can you stop using every post to tell everyone how experienced you are? It’s getting pretty boring. You are a busy amateur at best, a couple of hundred deer a year is nothing to write home about and doesn’t give you god like knowledge or make you superior to everyone else
Head shooting
- Thread starter Happy stalker
- Start date
No, I don’t think I have ever said that I haven't missed one yet. Perhaps you could find that post?
I have missed plenty, and wounded a few. Just like every other stalker who isn't a liar.
What's your opinion on neck shots?
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
Norfolk Deer Search
Well-Known Member
We have had this conversation already.
As I told you before, I head shoot my park deer, but not wild deer (except for HD), for all the reasons you mention. And you accepted my reasoning then, once I'd explained it all to you, so please don't now challenge it again.
However, I also acknowledge that head shooting is not difficult, and anyone with a reasonable level of skill can do it effectively and humanely if they are genuinely capable (not just kidding themselves). I would not criticise anyone for taking head shots on wild deer if they have the skill to do it. I have seen plenty of other shot placements go badly wrong.
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Well I'm glad we're in agreement on neck shots
Maybe not such a good memory as you think.
Ah yeah county deerstalking I’ll not be watching that 
Simple as that, really. I've never messed up a head or neck shot. And that's simply because I won't take a risk when it comes to taking the shot. It's either on, or it's not. There's no 'maybe' in my book
Yep, got it slightly wrong at 10:48.Otherwise covered well.
Deermanagement
Well-Known Member
Very good video with valid points. Not a fan of Peter but a well done programme and guest was very honest ref his own experiences and gave good reasons for why he has made the change in practices.
Maybe not enough explanation of how neck shots with animals directly facing you, especially after gaining their attention, result in shots either lethal, or if the strike goes to one side, a likely dpwned animal whereby if not dispatched with a follow up, will possibly survive, still being able to feed.
Head shots at anything other than close up are irresponsible. You do not have to spend much time observing deer to know that they can obviously turn their heads in a split second, reacting to any noises around them. If anyone disagrees that this does not happen, are either kidding themselves or have poor observational skills.
Game dealers rewarding irresponsibility or penalising responsible behaviour are just as guilty. Don't agree with the programme's 20-25% loss of venison with chest shot? Miss the shoulders and I'd guess less than 5% of lower quality meat, hit one shoulder, and there's no real reason given the benefit of time to take both shoulders, again I'd guess 10% of lower quality venison lost.
Maybe not enough explanation of how neck shots with animals directly facing you, especially after gaining their attention, result in shots either lethal, or if the strike goes to one side, a likely dpwned animal whereby if not dispatched with a follow up, will possibly survive, still being able to feed.
Head shots at anything other than close up are irresponsible. You do not have to spend much time observing deer to know that they can obviously turn their heads in a split second, reacting to any noises around them. If anyone disagrees that this does not happen, are either kidding themselves or have poor observational skills.
Game dealers rewarding irresponsibility or penalising responsible behaviour are just as guilty. Don't agree with the programme's 20-25% loss of venison with chest shot? Miss the shoulders and I'd guess less than 5% of lower quality meat, hit one shoulder, and there's no real reason given the benefit of time to take both shoulders, again I'd guess 10% of lower quality venison lost.
About £70 worth of venison on the shoulders and chest of a 32kg fallow carcass, so you're looking at loosing up to 20% of the retail value, plus additional disposal costs.
If game dealers pay less for chest shot carcasses than they do for head shot carcasses they're not "rewarding irresponsible behaviour", they're just paying more for better quality carcasses. That makes perfect sense.
Each to their own really, I’ve messed up a head shot but managed to follow it up with a quick finishing shot by that same token I’ve messed up a chest shot ( skimmed brisket ) and took hours of follow up to finish off , each shot has it place depending on circumstance in my opinion 
devon deer stalker
Well-Known Member
I've recently taken in 2 stags and a fallow buck to the game dealer, I could of shot them in the head but I chose not too, (I remember when I first started out of was the dogs danglies shooting deer in the head....until it went wrong....never done it since) all chest shot, just had payment advice, 0% deduction for damage.
At the end of the day it's down to the stalker, if he misses he just chalks it up as another clean miss, but has it been?
If they can live with it, fine, I can't.
This subject always raises strong emotions on both sides of the argument, but as soon as I saw it was 'that' guy doing the video, didn't give it the time of day.
At the end of the day it's down to the stalker, if he misses he just chalks it up as another clean miss, but has it been?
If they can live with it, fine, I can't.
This subject always raises strong emotions on both sides of the argument, but as soon as I saw it was 'that' guy doing the video, didn't give it the time of day.
This 100 %
Deermanagement
Well-Known Member
One can argue that the head shot carcass can sometimes bare no resemblance to better quality. Which is better, a clean shot chest carcass, that has been extracted cleanly and moved to a chiller quickly as apposed to a head shot animal, opened up during gralloch, dragged through the mud and stuffed in a car for the rest of the day? Which is the better quality carcass?
So head shot does not mean better, it does mean easier of course, but not that much easier.
Looking at some percentage weights I have on a spreadsheet for costing, chest apposed to neck....assume loss of one shoulder, and ribs from one side, 16% of overall carcass weight (the lower value cuts) as apposed to the 11% total loss of a neck?
And again looking at prime cuts selling costs, loosing a ribs and shoulder from one side according to my figures runs out at 8% of total sellig price whilst a total loss neck shot come out at 8.5%. These figures will vary according to individual's selling prices and animal sizes, but these figures were based on a 29.5kg carcass.
£2/kg against 50p/Kg is nowhere near a clear refection of venison loss from a chest shot animal. This os a 75% reduction on a loss that is less than 10%. Figures based on expanding lead bullets.
Pellet Pinger
Well-Known Member
I wouldn’t be shooting at anything with a finger looped over the barrel!!
I've only taken a few deer so vastly less experienced by many on here but a head shot whether deer, fox, rabbit, or rat....its an option to the shooter and dependant on the circumstances before them.
As hunters we owe our quarry, no matter what species, the utmost respect.
When used with common sense at closer ranges I don't see an issue with head shooting...ANY shot can go wrong, chest shot or head shot, its our job to reduce as much as practically possible the risk of it going wrong.
As hunters we owe our quarry, no matter what species, the utmost respect.
When used with common sense at closer ranges I don't see an issue with head shooting...ANY shot can go wrong, chest shot or head shot, its our job to reduce as much as practically possible the risk of it going wrong.
I
Thought exactly the same!
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