Where to aim for neck shots

[Mungo]

Let’s assume we’ve had the discussion about whether or not to neck shoot at all, and have agreed that everyone has their own set of personal guidelines.

So: where do you aim for a neck shot?

I seldom take them, primarily because I’m really not sure about where best to aim. But I think I’m missing a fair number of good opportunities as a result.

 

[Rory]

All the answers you need are here - Shot placement - Wild Deer Best Practice Guidance

 

[VSS]

Let’s assume we’ve had the discussion about whether or not to neck shoot at all, and have agreed that everyone has their own set of personal guidelines.

So: where do you aim for a neck shot?

I seldom take them, primarily because I’m really not sure about where best to aim. But I think I’m missing a fair number of good opportunities as a result.

Neck shots I really don't feel comfortable taking. I'd much rather take a head shot. Probably for the same reasons as yourself.

 

[Mungo]

All the answers you need are here - Shot placement - Wild Deer Best Practice Guidance

While I respect the logic of this, it’s very useful to hear about what people actually do.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

This picture is obviously of a buck which wasn’t neck shot but an aim point anywhere along the red line would be where I would be aiming for a bullet to pass through if you’re looking at the upper portion.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Funnily I’m a chest shot man but if not, I’d far rather a head shot as well.

Although I’ve only done a couple of head shots in 15 years and they were both at about 30 yards. Crawled in nice and close. The clean carcass is nice but I do prefer the large margin for error of heart/lung,(liver if it’s askew).

 

[Utectok]

Basically two shots high neck and low neck. High neck where the spine meets the skull a small target but effective. Low neck is where the spine meets the chest slightly larger target but can be hard to define especially when stags have neck rugs on. Also effective but in both cases reload an be ready as if it all goes wrong it can be pretty messy.

 

[Mungo]

This picture is obviously of a buck which wasn’t neck shot but an aim point anywhere along the red line would be where I would be aiming for a bullet to pass through if you’re looking at the upper portion.


View attachment 355280

Would you take side on shots?

 

[Mungo]

Basically two shots high neck and low neck. High neck where the spine meets the skull a small target but effective. Low neck is where the spine meets the chest slightly larger target but can be hard to define especially when stags have neck rugs on. Also effective but in both cases reload an be ready as if it all goes wrong it can be pretty messy.

So you’d never aim at the mid neck itself?

 

[Utectok]

Basically two shots high neck and low neck. High neck where the spine meets the skull a small target but effective. Low neck is where the spine meets the chest slightly larger target but can be hard to define especially when stags have neck rugs on. Also effective but in both cases reload an be ready as if it all goes wrong it can be pretty messy.

On balance I prefer low neck shots as there is a slightly larger margin for error and target movement is less. Having said that often your not presented with a choice

 

[Tim.243]

Let’s assume we’ve had the discussion about whether or not to neck shoot at all, and have agreed that everyone has their own set of personal guidelines.

So: where do you aim for a neck shot?

I seldom take them, primarily because I’m really not sure about where best to aim. But I think I’m missing a fair number of good opportunities as a result.

Centre of neck @ 100 yds

Again centre of neck

 

[Utectok]

So you’d never aim at the mid neck itself?

Never it’s to hard to define and easy to stick one through the neck and miss bone. I’ve had one or two stags get up after a poor neck shot which is pretty alarming. High or low is the way to go.

 

[Mungo]

Centre of neck @ 100 yds
View attachment 355281
Again centre of neck
View attachment 355282

That’s really useful - thank you. Muntjac must be very hard to hit like that!

 

[StephenToast]

At the very very top of the neck, just between it's ears.

 

[Utectok]

I’d say these two spots

 

[Tim.243]

That’s really useful - thank you. Muntjac must be very hard to hit like that!

No, it is just timing as they lift their head if you bark/bleat for a look around to see which is longer than the time from going up and down feeding.

 

[StephenToast]

I’d say these two spots View attachment 355286

Always fun to walk up to a deer that's gritting it's teeth and rolling it's eyes back in it's head wondering why it's body doesn't work any more.

 

[Biathlonjimmy]

I'm not a big fan of neck shots side on as there are nearly always other options. It's mainly because of my own lack of ability to visualise where the spine runs in the neck side on especially in bucks/stags.

Front and back it makes absolute sense and the beauty is that the centre line is true.

 

[Mungo]

I’d say these two spots View attachment 355286

Would you wait for any particular orientation? Full facing on/away only? Or side on too?

Once a long time ago I tried a face on neck shot at the lower one of those spots. Very stupid. Ploughed through and then took out most of the loin.

 

[baguio]

Let’s assume we’ve had the discussion about whether or not to neck shoot at all, and have agreed that everyone has their own set of personal guidelines.

So: where do you aim for a neck shot?

I seldom take them, primarily because I’m really not sure about where best to aim. But I think I’m missing a fair number of good opportunities as a result.

Depends on species and sex. Neck shooting big stags/bucks needs to be thought about very carefully. Shooting females of most species is pretty easy. Just aim straight along the centre line. High or low makes little difference. Muntjac are small enough to aim along the centre line too.