To some, hunting can seem like a very cruel pastime. For the true connoisseur, everything is much more complicated. And a hunter will find more than one argument in defense of this metier. Firstly, it can really be called a metier, where there are traditions, rules, and we can say laws. Secondly, it is a recreation for the soul. Someone just appreciates the solitude of nature, listening to its silence. There is an opinion that hunting teaches you to respect the animal and your prey. You understand the complexities of the process and its subtleties. And it allows you to have a completely different attitude toward what lies in the butcher stores. Stopping on the last point, it is necessary to notice that humanity in such activity as hunting is also extremely important. This applies, for example, to the choice of weapons. It is an interesting question, why deer hunting bow is used more often? There are a number of reasons for this. In some states, hunting with firearms is allowed near the end of the season (it’s already pretty cold outside). And the sound of a rifle bolt clicking can scare off an animal that’s already been waiting a long time. And now the waiting time increases several times more. Or maybe another hunter’s shot will be heard nearby, and the chance to get something on that day will be very small. While with a bow you can hunt whitetail since September. Plus the bow is a silent weapon, which, in addition to allowing you to get as close to the target as possible, also increases the possibility of off-season training, without disturbing the neighbours with the sounds of the shot.
But despite such attractive characteristics of this device, there is an important clarification. It is necessary to be well acquainted with deer anatomy just in order not to torment the animal with repeated shots. In fact, after one wrong shot, your target is likely to get scared and run far enough to get away from you. But now the animal is wounded and will suffer.
Although the modern bow provides a more stable shot, the need for regular practice on three-dimensional deer targets does not go away. You still need to be as close as possible to your prey and, moreover, know very well where you should shoot to ensure the quick and humane death of the animal we talked about earlier.
Where to Aim on a Whitetail Deer
So, in order to kill a white-tailed deer, you need to have a good understanding of which organs of this animal to aim at and where they are located. The lungs are considered the deer’s most vital organs. Underneath them is the heart and behind them is the liver. This means you should aim at the area behind the front humerus of the deer. And wide-angled arrows that hit the exact target will provoke severe internal haemorrhaging and therefore ensure a quick death.
But the position of the animal in relation to the hunter is far from stable. Therefore, you should be prepared for different positions from which you need to make a shot. This is the need for regular training on three-dimensional models of the animal.
Of course, the most advantageous position of the deer is perpendicular to you, that is when it is turned sideways to you. This is the basic position from which you can start your training. On the broadside of the animal’s torso, you mark a target three inches from the shoulder crease and take the shot. If all the conditions for a good shot are met, namely the position of the target, your position relative to ground level, the distance from which you make the shot; the arrow should go through. Congratulations! Your target is hit, and you’re sure to go home this afternoon with a valuable trophy.
Let’s assume that the deer is standing backwards and at a slight angle that allows you to see and aim at its side. This position of the animal is one of the most successful positions for a shot. Because in this case there is a high probability to hit the vital organs. If, of course, the angle is not too sharp. After all, this way, the arrow is more likely to pierce only one lung. Which is better to avoid. Here we are not aiming at the area behind the shoulder, but rather we are aiming at the point in the middle of the body of the beast (at the liver area) on the near side.
In general, an important rule to remember when archery is to avoid target positions at too sharp an angle. It doesn’t matter. Whether it’s facing forward or backwards. There’s too much chance that you’ll only injure the animal by hitting the muscle, and the arrow won’t be able to penetrate the animal’s strong bones. This rule should not be forgotten if you are in an elevated position. It is better to wait until the deer changes its position in relation to the shooter. Hunting is not subject to rush. It requires methodicalness, accuracy and precision.
By the way, another important reason, why you should try to make through holes on the body of the animal. Earlier we mentioned that by touching important vital organs of the deer, the wound provokes abundant bleeding, which can facilitate tracking if the frightened and wounded animal tries to hide in the woods. More blood flows from through wounds, and you will be able to find a whitetail by its blood trail.
In general, when making a shot, you should consider not only the position of your target but also other factors. The terrain in which you are shooting. Make sure there is nothing obstructing the flight of the arrow (trees, branches, rocks) that could seriously interfere with the accuracy of the shot. Are there any other living objects around your target that the arrow might also hit?
As with anything, theoretical knowledge is very important, but don’t neglect the opportunity to practice on three-dimensional deer models. You can go through and try all the possible shot options, changing your position, and the position of the animal. Hunting is a metier with its own laws and rules, which must be observed and respected.