Head Shooting

Deer managers are being put under increasing pressure to head or neck shoot deer. In this video Tom tests himself and his equipment using a Pro Stand target from Tom's Targets to see how easy it is to head shoot a deer at 100m and 150m.

[@vk_6915]

Not trying to be negative but, a deers head can move and turn at any time. Those targets are static

[@kris308100]

This all depends on the abilities of the individual shooter. Everyone is not the same. We all have our own comfort zone and should know our own limitations. For deer management in my park I have always headshot as that is the requirement from the owner and is the most humane kill. To ensure I can do this correctly I reload my own ammunition, tailored to suit the rifle I am shooting with a bullet that is suitable for the job (that wouldn't be suitable for body shooting). I spend a lot of time developing loads for the job. I clean my rifles systematically and regularly. I zero check my rifles regularly. I shoot using my own set-up methods to give the best chance of accuracy. I never head shoot face on and only go for side on or back of the head. Regarding neck shots, I only ever high neck shoot. Low neck shooting gives too much of an unclear sight picture. High neck shooting is easier to define the correct kill zone. Lastly there is practice and experience. I've been managing that park since January 2007. To this date I have shot 896 deer, all head shot. After that many deer you have an instinct and a 'feel' when a potential shot is achievable or just doesn't feel right. When people say "you cannot head shoot deer" or "don't do it" they are either talking about themselves or people who don't have the ability to do it. In that context they are correct. There are shooters out there with the skills and ability to head shoot. You have to know your own limitations.

[@PCMGuns]

Not a fan of head shots, seen too many people get them wrong. Problem is, the deer's head never stays still for that long, and what might have been a killing shot when you pulled the trigger can end up with the bullet hitting the jaw area, leaving an animal that is still mobile, making the coup de grace a lot harder. I neck shoot, if required, but keep it to around 100m and aim just above the middle line of the neck. But for me, it's primarily, up the front leg and behind the shoulder point of aim. Good, honest video, yep love that Merkel K3 too. But, it all really comes down to your shooting ability, which needs confidence, good technique and practice!

[@TheDeercast]

@@PCMGuns wise words! Thanks for the feedback!

[@jackstraughan2652]

Modern technology such as 5 leg shooting sticks provide ample steadiness. I personally only headshot out to 100 meter max. Neck shot 150 meters at a push. It all depends on your situation. Wind, rain, temperature (the shakes), prone or standing, calmness. If I’m feeling off then il stick to H&L. I do tend to high neck shot an awful lot in woodland though.

[@arborealoriole]

Even if you are comfortable about reliably hitting a target that size at up to, say, 150 metres, it would take very little movement of the head to turn a killing shot into a wounding shot with potentially disastrous consequences. More room for error with a neck shot I would have thought.

[@TheDeercast]

@@arborealoriole agree on the movement point! Are you saying more margin for error with a neck shot? Or more likelihood of it going wrong with a neck shot?

[@guysingleton9611]

I agree on the point about movement. All well and good shooting a static gong, it's a different ballgame with live quarry. A useful point to consider; the back of the head moves very little compared to the front , even if the deer looks from side to side.

[@lostglazier]

I don't know where you are hunting but where I come from a head shot is basically unheard of. To much probability of a wounded animal. Also never heard of a butcher refusing a front shoulder shot. Shot placement is the key to the ethical harvest

[@TheDeercast]

@@lostglazier we’re based in England. Most people here sell their carcasses to a game dealer / processor who will pay different prices for head vs body shot carcasses. Some will refuse body shot animals.

[@MrCobb-rq8iv]

too many people telling other people how to shoot and why, co-dependency dis-order to the max in these comments

[@arborealoriole]

Hi - I've replied to your question a couple of times but it doesn't appear below for some reason. I think there is more margin for error with a neck shot, which may explain why your poll results suggest that neck shots are more popular than head shots.

[@kevpeacock3059]

If you cannot hit a 2" target from 100 meters every time then you should not be shooting game.

[@E6EES]

Gust of wind/deer moves just as you shoot?

[@kevpeacock3059]

@@E6EES If you cannot read the wind, you should not be shooting at live animals. Knowing your quarry and their habits will always give you the advantage. You can tell when a deer is not going to move its head and when it is going to stay still long enough for you to place your shot. 100meters is a very short distance, it would take a very strong gust of wind to deflect a correctly chosen projectile of correct caliber far enough to miss the head of a deer. I have been a professional culler for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife service for many years and I have never missed a head shot at 100 meters because I won't take the shot unless I am 100% sure of every detail.

[@E6EES]

@@kevpeacock3059 Way over confident, I can tell you've been doing it a long time. 100% confident is more like 90% confident, 10% arrogance.

[@kevpeacock3059]

@@E6EES But I do not miss.

[@E6EES]

@@kevpeacock3059 you should make a video, 1" 3 shot group in windy conditions, it would get a lot of vews

[@vwdubguy1]

Personally I don’t do head or neck shots, in my opinion the margin of injury is way too high. What I find quite interesting that 47% percent do head or neck shots , how many of these are selling the carcasses to game dealer. Who are implementing that high risk of an inhumane kill is ok just justifying for sake of meat loss. As you’re using a kipplauf and maybe like of German traditions ,if you have the change speak to German hunters ask them what they think of headshots 😉

[@paulharding1621]

Simple, don’t do it. Crazy idea. Neck shooting within 100 yards ok from a very steady rest. Head shots are way too risky, the head is the first thing to move. Paper targets are not an indicator of real stalking circumstances.

[@beeboop1726]

Have to agree with this… just look at the failed Donald Trump assassination, Trump turned his head at last second, think it was around 130m.

[@E6EES]

Total common sense

[@thomasc4329]

I head/neck shot out to 250m in varying scenarios but I've done a lot of range work and I've my ballistics data really well dialled in, and only while in very stable conditions. I'd usually keep these shots inside 150m.

[@benjaminwilley3578]

Thoughts on high shoulder?

[@TheDeercast]

@@benjaminwilley3578 very ethical and effective at dropping deer, but a game dealer will penalise you for it.

[@paulking8055]

@@TheDeercast Penalise you while giving you next to no money, Isn't it wonderful that the game dealer calls the shots!!

[@callumhepworth-smith6376]

If thats your group at 150m then i would seriously check your kit. Do you load you own ammo? I check zero at 120m and 235m (with a 1.25 MOA adjustment) and if its not within 1" at 235 then i question why..... Range time is key to shooting with confidence and respect for your quarry.... only headshoot at 70m-130m with fifth leg quad sticks. One thing to be aware of is that the head on an animal can move so quickly; its very easy to mess it up, so you need experience and guidance from folk who know the techniques and how to read/assess the deer before taking a shot to the head. 🙂

[@TheDeercast]

@@callumhepworth-smith6376 not sure if you watched to the end of the video, but if you did you’ll see why Toms group at 150m wasn’t great - poor technique. With proper technique Tom gets 1” groups at 150m with that setup. Both Harry and Tom homeload their own ammo.

[@E6EES]

1" at 235, you're deluded!

[@callumhepworth-smith6376]

@@E6EES Why? custom barrel and home loads... thats normal aint it?

[@PeterSkew]

Hunting must be humane. How can a butcher dictate how a deer is shot humanely?