Could You and Would You Take the Shot?

Founder · May 24, 2019

You spent 4 hours crawling in on this buck bedded in the sage, not certain just how big he is, just that he was pretty good. At 62 yards he catches movement or something and stands. He's ready to get out of there. You've got about 12 seconds to draw and let one go. There quite likely will be no second opportunity at this one.

Is he big enough?
Can you get your bow drawn and a pin settled on him?
Do you take the shot?

Brian Latturner
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Smithb9841 · May 24, 2019

Yup he'd have an arrow through him wouldn't hesitate and wouldn't second
Guess it

buckhorn · May 24, 2019

Only if he turns a little more sideways at least quartering away.
At 62 yards and the angle he's in the pic I'm afraid I would hit him in the butt or glance off his shoulder and just wound him and he would get away.
He is kind of funky looking but is a pretty big buck.

BroadHead · May 24, 2019

That range is right at the edge of my comfort level. Like buckhorn, I'd prefer that it turn broadside a bit more. That angle is pretty steep and unless I can get it to turn with a well-timed fart or doe bleet, then I'm afraid I'll have to let it pass then cry myself to sleep later at base camp.

txjp · May 25, 2019

>That range is right at the
>edge of my comfort level.
>Like buckhorn, I'd prefer that
>it turn broadside a bit
>more. That angle is pretty
>steep and unless I can
>get it to turn with
>a well-timed fart or doe
>bleet, then I'm afraid I'll
>have to let it pass
>then cry myself to sleep
>later at base camp.

+1

? YOU DON?T FIND WILLPOWER YOU FORGE IT?

fullthrottle · May 28, 2019

I like the distance and the angle. I don't like the fact that he's on edge. I hate shooting at mature bucks at distance when they know something?s up. Hopefully my arrow is quicker than he is...

tex270 · May 28, 2019

I like that angle, but it would be out of my range. I practice and am confident out to 50, but past that I just won't shoot. I have seen many archers hit the targets out to 100, but I am not one of them. Beautiful buck.

nmarchr · Jun 28, 2019

I'd take that shot without hesitation!

wapitiman · Jul 4, 2019

Lhedrick1 · Jul 4, 2019

Too far for me and too steep of an angle at that distance. Definately a shooter but not an ideal shot opportunity.

Rsully661 · Jul 8, 2019

Simple shot, wouldn't hesitate a bit. Place it mid body on the last rib

Zero_Pnt_Huntr · Jul 10, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jul-10-19 AT 08:19AM (MST)[p]If it's my last day hunting and my only opportunity then 100%.

Ideal shot, absolutely not but thats why I like long range practice, good broadheads, and beefy arrows.

With that angle to you'd have a fair shot at puncturing the diaphragm and, hopefully, a lung. With that kind of shot you'd most likely harvest that buck.

... plus, it's your last day and only opp.

Joe2Kool · Jul 24, 2019

>Too far for me and too
>steep of an angle at
>that distance. Definately a shooter
>but not an ideal shot
>opportunity.

+1

leftturnabq · Jul 25, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jul-25-19 AT 03:37PM (MST)[p]If I got the range dialed and arrow nocked, I can can make that shot.

I prefer a quartering away shot, just put it thru the opposite shoulder...although at this angle it'll likely be going thru the front of the opposite shoulder.

Oh, and he's big enough for me with a bow.

Elk_Nuts · Sep 29, 2020

Send it.

But I practice almost daily out to 100 yards in all conditions.

Muleman1 · Sep 30, 2020

He’d be dead

Captain_coues · Sep 30, 2020

Too far for me.

CA_Wapiti · Oct 1, 2020

Full send.

60 yards is probably my favorite shot (obviously no complaints if they are closer) but I practice for that scenario daily. In my experience 60 is where things tend to go sideways on a stalk so I try to be comfortable out to 80.

Only concern would be him dropping at the sound of the shot. It’s difficult to say just how much they will drop or if they will at all. But he’s still close enough that he wouldn’t be getting out of there without an arrow tucked up behind those ribs given that quartering-away angle

Mathewsshooter · Nov 3, 2020

Great shot aim at the opposite shoulder

HuckleberryHound · Nov 4, 2020

"Is he big enough" shouldnt come into play when deciding if the shot is within your abilities or ethical. Its either a doable shot for you or its not, antler size doesnt change that.

trophyhunter · Nov 18, 2020

MtnHillbilly · Mar 7, 2022

The Scenario you set up mentioned basically him being alerted to possible danger! Nervous deer will likely jump string maybe not at 62 yards I dunno but I’ve had elk jump string at 20 yards so I might pass and put another stalk on him once he settles down

gundog2 · Mar 13, 2022

I’d be way excited to be in that situation with that deer, but I have shot enough 3-D targets to know it is a risky shot for me, and I know that it is even tougher on real animals. I’m sure that some people can make the shot, but I’d probably hesitate waiting for deer to turn and end up eating my tag.

txhunter58 · Mar 14, 2022

Shooter? For sure. But no ethical shot for me. When they are broadside and you miss by 2” you are still golden. But at that severe angle, 2” would make a big difference. Especially if he moves at all

And, that would hold true the first minute or last minute of my hunt.

MountainSqwabler · Mar 27, 2022

Definitely a shooter buck, but I max myself at 50 yards, simply because I feel as a hunter If I can't get within 50 yards of an animal then lm doing something wrong.

BGbasbhat · Mar 30, 2022

Rough angle and alert, so no. If he was feeding, i'd take it, but the alertness sees him ditching low for a miss or wounding.

BLooDTRaCKeR · Apr 1, 2022

Texas heart shot with a blunt! Catch up to him next year when he’s a bit bigger!

Blank · Apr 3, 2022

A shot not taken is always a miss!!!

whiteantlertip · Apr 3, 2022

Kill him , no doubt

BackcountryRob · Jun 3, 2022

Difficult shot at that distance with only 12 seconds, buck is aware of your presence and likely to jump the string. I could, if I would can only be answered in that situation.

elkchaserreturns · Jun 9, 2022

No shot for me!
1) Distance is too far.
2) Angle is not good at any distance!
3) Animal is alert and likely to jump string.
Just sayin, , , , !

Padfoot · Jun 9, 2022

elkchaserreturns said:
No shot for me!
1) Distance is too far.
2) Angle is not good at any distance!
3) Animal is alert and likely to jump string.
Just sayin, , , , !

Not too far for accurate shot.
Angle ok for the distance.
Agree with #3 - no arrow is that fast that a buck or bull takes a half step and - no bueno!

Bwht4x4 · Jun 10, 2022

With his ears pinned back and him looking behind him too....no way would I take the shot.

Katoom · Jun 11, 2022

Maybe 75% chance of a dead buck. But 25% chance of a gory wound and a lost animal. Just too far with a narrow margin of error, steep angle and an already alert deer.

Joe2Kool · Jun 11, 2022

When I see these posts, I like to think thru my answer before I read the replies.
Anyway, I didn't realize the original post date was 3 years ago. As I scrolled through the answers, I see a familiar picture. I already replied! Same answer this time!

Big enough? Yes.
12 seconds? Yes.
62 yards? Beyond my comfort zone.
Angle? Not enough quartering.

Grouse Legs · Jun 14, 2022

Probably not

Zeke · Jun 15, 2022

I agree with some and disagree with others.

Time is fine unless I'm gassed and know I cannot hold the bow steady.
Shot distance is on my edge of comfort but not beyond.
Shot angle is fine IF a guy can settle the pin and shoots well ...which is (should be) the case with EVERY archery shot.
The thing that bugs me is knowing that he could blow out of there at any moment. That would make me hesitate beyond the 12 seconds so I guess that means no shot for me but I'll enjoy the encounter.
Even the quietest bows make some noise.

Zeke

Grouse Legs · Jun 16, 2022

Zeke said:
I agree with some and disagree with others.

Time is fine unless I'm gassed and know I cannot hold the bow steady.
Shot distance is on my edge of comfort but not beyond.
Shot angle is fine IF a guy can settle the pin and shoots well ...which is (should be) the case with EVERY archery shot.
The thing that bugs me is knowing that he could blow out of there at any moment. That would make me hesitate beyond the 12 seconds so I guess that means no shot for me but I'll enjoy the encounter.
Even the quietest bows make some noise.

Zeke

Well said

Dryfly · Aug 22, 2022

I wouldn't hesitate to take the shot, as long as I knew the range for sure. I would aim at the far left shoulder, straight up the far leg.

Haven't missed a shot on any big game animal, since I wounded and lost one in the early 90s. I swore that would never happen again and practiced like a man possessed. It bothered me a lot, but it was the best thing that ever happened for my shooting.