One of the highly debated topics....shot ethics. Im not goin' there, but I will fill you in on my shot preferrences, if I could pick them.

The two shots I feel most comfortable with on everything I hunt is the generic broadside, and the quartering away....Why?;

BROADSIDE
This shot, as most of you know provides you with the best angle to take out both lungs and the heart, if you shoot low enough. That said, you can get in trouble with trying to get it too close to the shoulder. Theres lots of good stuff there, dont try and push it too tight against the shoulder, and end up with a small amount of penetration.

A little over 1/3 of the way up.....

QUARTERING AWAY
I really like this shot because it allows you to stay away from the shoulder and go through more of the boiler room if it is executed properly. I like to aim the shot to center the offside shoulder, at the same height as a broadside shot.
This is a great shot to take out the lungs and even catch the jugular with the right angle.

More of a 45 degree quartering angle...allows alot of room to make that shot


Harder quartering angle, but room to make a great shot....

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With those two shots out of the way, there are two more that I would take, if the situation was right. On an pronghorn, or deer I think the quartering to shot is effective. They have much smaller bones than a big bull elk, and thats why I would take this shot. Also, I shoot over 90lbs of kenetic energy, so my arrow is made for dealing with bone, if need be. You can hit the jugular and lungs if the arrow is well placed. Its nearly the same as a quatering away when its made, however, I think guys get fearful of hitting the shoulder (it is more of a threat at this angle)
On the quaterting to, I think putting it in front of the shoulder is smarter, because, if you aim behind with a steep enough angle you can entirely miss the vitals, and probably just catch paunch (no good)

My dot is a little too far too the left, two inches right is great....

Same thing goes for a frontal shot, with the right gear, and a well placed shot, its as lethal as any. I want a closer shot as you have less to work with though..

They dont have to be your choices, but they are mine....in order of preferrence.

Whatever your choice, keep it in the pocket, and the bloodtrail short-

Joe

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Shot Placement
written by Mark Land, June 29, 2009

For me the best shot is always a broadside shot, just above the heart and tight to the shoulder crease, that gives you the best opportunity to double lung an animal and ensure a entry and exit hole. Also if the animal ducks some you will still catch the high lungs or if you shoot a little low, you are still in the heart area as well.
Quartering away shots, while very effective, can limit exit penetration due to the fact that you are shooting into the far shoulder and the arrow will have lost some energy from passing thru the front side of the animal and especially with larger animals, this can be enough lost to not penetrate thru and give you an exit hole. That can lead to limited blood trails. longer tracking jobs and harder tracking.
Angling too shots are best left for very close range and absolute precise arrow placement as you have a very small window to slip your arrow thru, with high energy setups, you may have a little more leeway but for normal setups, it is not a high percentage shot, in my opinion! Mark

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written by joeedge, June 29, 2009

Good Stuff Mark, thanks for checkin in!
Like you said the quartering to shot choice needs to include some thought of the setup you run.

On my setup...
Elite GT500 at 81lbs with an Easton FMJ and 100gr Muzzy PhantomMX, my KE is over 90lbs.

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Quartering Away...All the Way!!!
written by Toasteo, July 02, 2009

Using the pics and the dots is great. Of all the shots you describe I like the quarting away and extreme quartering away the best. It gives you the greatest margin for error. The only downside is that you may not get a pass through. But there is a lot of evidence that suggests an arrow in the body cavity can lead to a quicker kill if the animal runs. One thing to keep in mind is that tighter angles mean you need to aim farther back. That third pic almost looks like a gut shot but that's where you have to aim to hit the heart and lungs. Great Blog Topic.

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written by joeedge, July 08, 2009

Thanks bro, that quartering away is one guys mess up on cause they put it behind the shoulder and it has the possibility to miss what you need to hit.

Thanks again man, glad you liked it!

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