Head and Neck Shots : Mental Block !

[Tim.243]

Have you ever tracked a jaw shot red?

NOT FUN

No lee I was showing Sol the Maths as she wanted to use a bi-pod I shoot them in the Ribs..
like the Fallow
Besides with that cover not even you could see it with a bi-pod

 

[Sol]

With a decent back stop your bi-pod (prone) shooting a Red in the head/neck your down elevation will have to be quite high (yes Scotland ) has big bits of high ground, using sticks the height advantage getting over cover compared to the mole hill in the way with a bi-pod.
Do the maths and the shot angle off sticks at a Red head vs a bi-pod

I'm aware Tim! there's quite a few spots around our land where Bipod use prone Is completely feasible whilst the deer Is relatively on the same level as us that also provides a suitable backstop.

Personally though I would never shoot any of the bigger species in the neck literally the only species I'd consider Is roe, there the species (and the gun I'd be using) I'm most familiar with regardless

 

[Tim.243]

I'm aware Tim! there's quite a few spots around our land where Bipod use prone Is completely feasible whilst the deer Is relatively on the same level as us that also provides a suitable backstop.

Personally though I would never shoot any of the bigger species in the neck literally the only species I'd consider Is roe, there the species (and the gun I'd be using) I'm most familiar with regardless

I gave up with a bi-pod years ago as with the sheep farm foxing most times we went through a gate way boot deep in mud a fox would be on for a shot but there was no where to lay down so switched to sticks.

 

[FeckArseIndustries]

If you shake like a shitting dog forget it

 

[Bo Diddley]

Don't turn down the opportunity you have been given.
You are happy with your kit/accuracy, so that's one problem ticked off the list.
"The more you see, the more you do"
Watch deer as often as you can. The more you study, the more comfortable you will become with choices, learning the behaviour of the animals you hunt.
I shot six Muntjac on Saturday evening, all head/neck, no great range. Confidence is key.
Get out and enjoy the opportunity.
..

 

[Mike1979]

I think the point has been made above that if you arent happy to do it then dont do it. If you mess up then you will be kicking yourself for doing it ...better not to shoot the extra few deer then injure one in my opinion.

 

[Mickeydredd]

Personally though I would never shoot any of the bigger species in the neck literally the only species I'd consider Is roe, there the species (and the gun I'd be using) I'm most familiar with regardless

May I ask why not? Is it just because you are using a less familiar rifle?

 

[maximus otter]

I was about to post about how reluctant I was to take head/neck shots, then thought I'd check my records spreadsheet (Yes, I know: I need to get a girlfriend...) To my surprise, approximately 17% of my shots have been to that area!

Looking back, many of them have been couched CWD in tall vegetation, only popping their heads up occasionally to scout around and leaving me no alternative.

Ranges have been between 25 to 155 yards, with most being at the lower end. The 155-yarder was a roebuck off quad sticks, with plenty of time to prepare, no wind and a freshly-zeroed rifle.

I greatly prefer the old faithful 90° heart/lung shot, but we have to play the cards we're dealt.

maximus otter

 

[Heym SR20]

I had a report of a stag neck shot from a close enough range. It dropped on the spot. As the two stalkers approached it jumped up and ran off never to be seen again. No hair, no blood, nothing. I had a doe that did the same a few years ago. I did catch up with her a few weeks later. She had almost healed crease across her neck - enough to stun.

 

[Sol]

May I ask why not? Is it just because you are using a less familiar rifle?

Pretty much, the .243 I decided too use takes a different ammunition we dont have at the moment its a little less accurate in that particular rifle compared too the other.
I do think Its slightly under gunned for bone shots especially on a big animal, I did enjoy the 270 when I used one though I realise though the differences are very little in reality though.

Whilst the .222 Is very small I like the damage It does but roe Inherently need to be very close for a shot regardless I think most of my roe are shot sub 60 yards

 

[homer]

Pretty much, the .243 I decided too use takes a different ammunition we dont have at the moment its a little less accurate in that particular rifle compared too the other.
I do think Its slightly under gunned for bone shots especially on a big animal, I did enjoy the 270 when I used one though I realise though the differences are very little in reality though.

Whilst the .222 Is very small I like the damage It does but roe Inherently need to be very close for a shot regardless I think most of my roe are shot sub 60 yards

The 243 is an excellent choice for head/neck shots, especially with a light fragmenting bullet (not that im encouraging you to break the law), when 1 of those bullets hit bone, its game over.

 

[Mickeydredd]

Pretty much, the .243 I decided too use takes a different ammunition we dont have at the moment its a little less accurate in that particular rifle compared too the other.
I do think Its slightly under gunned for bone shots especially on a big animal, I did enjoy the 270 when I used one though I realise though the differences are very little in reality though.

Whilst the .222 Is very small I like the damage It does but roe Inherently need to be very close for a shot regardless I think most of my roe are shot sub 60 yards

As I posted elsewhere, when I started shooting Reds with my trusty 25.06 I felt it wasn't the best for chest shots on the big boys and was the main reason I started high neck shooting, which now accounts for most of my deer these days on any species. As long as I can stalk in close enough its the shot I take.

 

[Jagare]

As others have said, if your not comfortable taking neck shots don't do it. I've culled a lot of park deer with neck shots but very few in the wild. I don't take head shots on deer because having seen deer with their jaws blown of it such a nasty wound it gives me the shivers.

 

[RoyalRedStag]

Practice neck/head shots on a target. Start thinking about how you could still miss a chest shot and injure the deer so why is a neck/head shot so different.

 

[SikaSeeker]

I find I’m far more accurate with shot placement when head/neck shooting. Sometimes I look at where POI is on the chest of a deer and think I might of aimed a little higher or to one side.

 

[TringSaint]

Here we go again on shot placement !

Been stalking for 5 years (SGC 40+ and 1000’s birds). Just been through first FA renewal.
Cull to date
2xRed Stags
2xFallow Does
2xFallow Prickets
1xSika Hind
12 Roe
30+ Muntjac

All but a couple taken cleanly with engine room shots.

Here’s the rub! When presented with only a head or neck shot I pass, I don’t get stressy , I just pass . In my head I don’t want to screw it up and have a wounded animal running about on my conscience.

I am confident with the accuracy of my kit and mostly shoot out if a seat, occasionally off sticks.

A friend has asked me to help him cull out some fallow but wants them necked for the carcasses.

So do I just grow up and go for it ? One success then I am away?
Get a bit of coaching - maybe Corinium ? other suggestions welcome. I am Worcs based

Any body else had the same issue ?

In my experience head and neck shots are only an option if the behaviour of the animal is predictable.
If it’s browsing, head down for 3-5 seconds at a time then it’s predictable.
If it’s laid up enjoying some winter sun, then it’s predictable.
If it’s standing to alert then it’s predictable.
If it’s a munty then it’s not predictable!!

So if I can watch a deer an assess it’s behaviour and I can predict when a head shot can be made then I will take it. But if the deer is presenting as skittish or nervous and is moving its head a lot or is browsing on the hoof, then I will either do hilar or h+l.
An alternative to a head shot is also a low neck shot - bigger target and less movement relative to what the deer’s head is doing.

Maybe try one close ish- say 50-70m and build your confidence up.
I will head shoot deer which are laid up in the grass out to 150-160m, but on their feet it’s more like 130m max.
Chest shots I will take out to 200+ on cwd and muntjac.