Shots you will not take

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Longbowfanatic
Posts: 251
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:41 am

Shots you will not take

#1 Post by Longbowfanatic »

Hi guys & gals,
I'm a new member but no stranger to trad archery. I had a recent conversation with one of my buddies which sparked an interesting discussion. I don't want to cause a argument and that's not the point to this discussion. The purpose is for me is to learn from your experiences. With that said, here we go: what are the shots you absolutely will not take?

I will begin with my list.

1. Quartering toward me.
2. Straight dawn.
3. Frontal shot.

I don't want you to think I'm I'm a saint, but I may be a sinner. Quite sure of the later. LOL. Anyway, I have done all of these. For me, I will not take any of these these shots (until a Boone & Crockett walks by, then I'll ask for forgiveness). I'm not here to judge anyone nor do I want anyone else to judge anyone else. This is nothing more than informative.

Okay, so I have exposed my soft underbelly. What are your ABSOLUTES (of course dismissing my ever-changing absolutes) If your shot absolutes conflict with mine, I could care less. You may have had a different experience than I have, which has formed your opinion. I am not right and it's not about being right. It's about initiating an interesting discussion. Thanks everyone!

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Shadowhntr
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Re: Shots you will not take

#2 Post by Shadowhntr »

I personally only like a moderately quartering away shot, or broadside. The other situations I consider a no shot situation.
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

Crazynate
Posts: 444
Joined: Tue May 23, 2017 9:54 am

Re: Shot you will not take

#3 Post by Crazynate »

Good question to ask. I'm interested to see what guys do and don't do. For me the shot I will not take with my recurve is a quartering to me shot. 3 years ago I was hunting up by Grayling and about 10 minutes after climbing up hit my grunter and then saw a huge buck charging in at me. He was a monster 6pt with no brow times. He stopped about 8 yards away. I was standing up and could of drawn hoping he would've seen me then I'd get a broadside shot but he didn't and he spooked than bolted. For a compound or an xbow hunter that would've been a slam dunk but I just didn't fee comfortable and I've lost 2 many deer rushing shots like that. It still bothers me to this day even though I think I made the right choice. I also have taken front shots right through the chest. Luckily both times I've done it I was successful but I wouldn't do it again. Straight down shots are to hard for me to. I'll try and wait until they're 5 yards out at least. But like you say that f a Booner walks by I have no idea what I might try lol.
Goodnight Chesty Wherever You Are.

Longbowfanatic
Posts: 251
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:41 am

Re: Shots you will not take

#4 Post by Longbowfanatic »

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your insights!

Captainkirk
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Re: Shots you will not take

#5 Post by Captainkirk »

Longbowfanatic wrote: I will begin with my list.
1. Quartering toward me.
2. Straight dawn.
3. Frontal shot.
First off, great question, Dennis!
I will not take any of the above three. In addition, I have a self imposed limit of 20 yard broadside since my practice time and opportunities have decreased. I also will not take a shot on a deer that is acting skittish, or on alert.
Since I'm primarily a ground hunter these days (my choice) that means a lot of track soup on the menu, but I don't care. I do have rifles if I get hungry.
Aim small, miss small!

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Graps
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Re: Shots you will not take

#6 Post by Graps »

None of those shots , also if there's anything obstructing the possible shot , that's a pass as well .
I'll only take a clear and broadside shot . I will take a slight quartering away shot .
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

Carpdaddy
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Re: Shots you will not take

#7 Post by Carpdaddy »

I will not take shots that I have taken in the past! I am much older and wiser now, and I am not pressured to shoot a Deer at any cost. Someone (I think it was Ron) made a very compelling argument here some time back against the full frontal shot. If I remember correctly he had a skeleton or something to prove his point. I once took a Deer in my younger days that I shot standing straight toward me. Straight through the chest and out far back. The Deer didn't go 20 yards probably. The point is that I was young, I would not take that same shot today if it were an exact situation.

Longbowfanatic
Posts: 251
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:41 am

Re: Shots you will not take

#8 Post by Longbowfanatic »

Like Tony said, I have taken those shots before in my younger days too and although I have had positive outcomes in all of them, if memory serves me correctly, I would not do taken them today.

Kirk- I couldn't agree more. My self imposed hunting distance is less than 15 yards. That is the distance I feel gives me the best chance of a 100% success rate on harvesting a whitetail from a tree stand.Of course deer can jump the string, so there are no guarantees.

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dhaverstick
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Re: Shots you will not take

#9 Post by dhaverstick »

I'm with Jason, quartering away or broadside. Anything else and the animal gets a pass from me.

Darren

Longbowfanatic
Posts: 251
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:41 am

Re: Shots you will not take

#10 Post by Longbowfanatic »

Kirk,

Good point on shooting at alert deer. I had a guy once tell me his theory on how he shoots alert deer. He said that if the deer is amped up, he would intentionally shoot 1"-2" below the chest. He said that it the deer drops down, you're in the center or lower 1/3 of the chest cavity. If the deer doesn't drop, it's a clean miss.

I have another one to add to my list of no shoot scenarios for myself. Walking deer are a "no go" for me. I know some people do it, and do it effectively. That's just beyond my comfort level, probably for a number of reasons. In the end, I'm like many of you in that I want broadside or quartering away only.

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