10 deer shot placement examples - where to aim with a rifle

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Learn to shoot fast and straight: christiansaugmann.com/shoot/

[@JULIANBRACHFELD]

All fantastic advice for double lung shots. I have always shot 2.5 - 5CM below every one of these scenarios and have taken out the top of the heart so they bleed out very quickly. None of my harvests travelled more than 7 meters most less than 3 and some dropped right where hit. Thank you for a very informative video.

[@davidspring5149]

I’ve only started hunting a couple years ago, and this year I had my first shot at a whitetail deer. I watched this video in the lead-up to my hunt. I caught her grazing, waited for a broadside, and executed a shot exactly like you showed. She stumbled, turned, and made it about ten yards before she fell. The shot broke her humerus, opened both lungs, and shredded her heart to the point that one atria detached. Hunters like you teaching lessons like this are making an impact. Thank you!

[@franchellevanheerden]

This is the best shot placement video on the internet. I have been hunting for a few years, and a week ago was the first time i was able to drop a deer right where it was standing. i watched this video about 1 week before I went out hunting.

[@jimr9921]

Far from it. Look around.

[@orozjetv]

Fantastic presentation! Thank you for making this video. Best regards from Slovenia

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Glad you enjoyed it! All the best!

[@controlledrecoil-nzhunting]

You did a fantastic job of explaining and showing a topic that is often tricky to explain to new hunters. Good advice to aim level with centre, as a lot of people aim too low. Very good clear instructions and reasons given. I would recommend this video to anyone starting out. Well done. Thank you for sharing. A big hello from New Zealand. 👍😁

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Thanks! I had new hunters in mind when making the video so I'm happy to hear you think would be helpful. It's been many years since I visited New Zealand and it's on my list to go back. Such a beautiful part of the world. All the best!

[@controlledrecoil-nzhunting]

@@ChristianSaugmann Thanks, there are probably a few experienced hunters that could learn from it too 😁. Let me know if you’re coming to NZ , would be happy to put you onto some hunting areas.

[@jonquirk9582]

I do understand the logic of shooting through the shoulder to hit both the heart and lungs. But you can also go 2-3 inches back from the shoulder and aim for the much larger rib cage. The lungs are a massive target in the deer like you said in your first shot placment video. And i have had deer drop in their tracks by getting a double lung shot. And that doesn't put a bullet hole in the delicious shoulder roast

[@mooman333]

as a hunter, that was my first thought as well, that destroys a lot of meat.

[@jimr9921]

Exactly. You're supposed to eat it, bot blow it to smithereens. But admittedly those shots will kill your deet, and waste aboput a quarter of it. Or more is you miss just a little.

[@jpax1982]

Great video! Ive been wanting to do something different to my tikka. It couldn't have came out any better! Looks factory. Great video brother!

[@kaiwansalih-l8g]

thank you very much it is very usefull well done

[@azypk]

I just discovered your channel and Im impressed by the quality of the content! You deserve more subscribers!

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Thanks!

[@dennisst.pierre210]

Just me but front quartering shot I have used the neck shot with great success on three deer over the years

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Neck shots are effective. And you obviously know what you're doing. I wanted to make a video to hunters starting out, which is why I didn't mention the neck shots. Thanks!

[@MadDestructionChaos]

Awesome video man! When in doubt, take a head shot! LOOL! I mostly wait for the right shot. But if he's a big boy.... by any means necessary! LOL! These shot placements definitely give me something to think about! Thx!!

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Thanks Wayne! I'm happy the video gives you food for thought. All the best!

[@br4nd0nh347]

What about the brachial plexus? Or is that in the other video.?

[@ChristianSaugmann]

I wanted this to be a foundational video. Not just for beginners, but a proven aiming point for when you're in a hurry.

[@leovasquez5501]

Most informative video I’ve seen. Thank you! Random question…I’m trying to place your accent. Are you South African?

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Thanks! I’m Danish

[@zygotepeyote]

Should be required training to obtain a hunting license. Best video I have ever seen! Much appreciated!

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Thank you very much! Happy to hear you like the video. All the best!

[@7hndr]

Pretty much in every country it is required to undergo training to obtain a hunting license. Just not in the US…

[@AdmiralSpee]

Does it applies to all calibers 308w and 6.5 creedmoor?!?

[@BrittanyMerritt-q4c]

This year I got an 8 pointer buck. And I just want to know how to get my next deer down faster next year and be a better hunter and have a better aim at my buck or doe with my rifle next year. So how can I get a better shot with my rifle?👍🏻

[@igramradzhabov7777]

thanks for the good video👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@ChristianSaugmann]

thanks and you're welcome!

[@jimpoitevint2581]

The shot placement is right on, one thing I wouldn't aim for the head shot, and a deer isn't considered a small game animal.

[@chriskourlos4407]

A++.❤😂🎉

[@carypeaden4147]

At the 2:10 minute mark you show a picture of a doe feeding and say that you would wait until the doe lifts her leg to look around. Why would you do that? I thought it would be better if she was feeding rather than alert. Maybe my belife is because I spend a lot of time bowhunting and I am afraid if she has her head up and she alert she is alert she is more likely to move at the sound of the string, and bullets (unlike arrows) are moving faster than sound and she would not react to shot noise before the bullet hit her.

[@Dreski427]

You would do that because in case of flight you may not have a blood trail because of skin overlapping the bullet wound

[@ruatsangarsa2752]

I shot one munjact deer at the high shoulder with a 12 gauge single shot long barrel 32 inchs , He was clearly down and suddenly succumbed on the spot! That was my first shot so i am happy

[@ChristianSaugmann]

congratulations on the muntjac!

[@easttexan2933]

I prefer the "high shoulder" shot. It takes a bit more skill, but deer rarely take a step when this shot is made.

[@bobvedder2451]

Any time you are shooting an animal, shot placement is important. Don't take the shot if you can't make it a clean shot

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Agree!

[@michaelguerin4618]

Neck shots where a big cat go's for stops them quicker,

[@lukesandri6576]

And if you're a bowhunter, aim in the same spot but in the lower 1/3 in case it jumps the string.

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Thanks for your input Luke. Much appreciated!

[@DrPsychlops]

While I was watching this video I paused the video and try to guess where you would say the shot was supposed to go, and I was right most of the time. (:

[@traveller4738]

The biracial nexus is located behind the shoulder blades, take that out and the deer will drop like a stone. It’s called the high shoulder shot.

[@gregoryhunts3006]

Unless I'm using a bow, I never shoot em in the shoulders. I take headshots on all doe. High neck on buck.

[@russellkeeling4387]

The first deer shown looks like the video wants me to ruin both front quarters of meat. Shooting through the bone with a high power rifle will absolutely cause all that meat to be destroyed.

[@ChristianSaugmann]

I hear what you say. Sometimes you've got to make a choice between wasting some meat and getting the deer. In my experience, the damage is usually on the entry side and less so on the exit side. And accepting the waste might be a valid choice if it's the only chance to get a deer. Some folks don't have much access to hunting. And some folks want more margin of error. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. All the best!

[@karltannerfookinlegendofgi5243]

i think you need to curve the rim of your hat a bit more. the sides aren’t quite touching!

[@pappykhurmi6070]

👍

[@sadrocket1]

shot placement number one is going to damage both or at least one of the upper front legs and an signifficant amount of meat is lost.

[@michaeldaltonsr8954]

Nope. I won't be back. (WT deer hunter for full 60yrs) Once your "students" find out what a "scapula" is, and what it does to "shots"(especially arrows), even rifle require more powerful than really needed penetration, they'll move along, too. IMO.

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Hi Michael. Thanks for calling out the fact that bones can be a showstopper. Especially with light / fast cartridges, traditional non-bonded cup-and-core bullets, and arrows. This video is a follow-up to a more in-depth video where I cover those pitfalls. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaDGi6ier9V_obM I made this video exclusively to give folks some practical examples of shot placement, using deer images. In hindsight, I should have mentioned the pitfalls you flag. It's always a balancing act to include just enough information but not too much. All the best.

[@joelramsay5072]

I shoot just behind leg with facing leg slightly forward on broad side stance. Boom dead center lungs.

[@tonyfrederickson6692]

make sure you got a kill shot,dont shoot to be shooting at it is important too,seen more wasted shots and wounding deer because of careless hunters that know shot placements and dont care they shoot before aiming just to get that shot in.

[@toxico1152]

Say goodbye to all the front quarter meat

[@thegreeninvasion5511]

Have to disagree with shooting a deer in the shoulder! Why would you waste the only decent meat on the front of an animal! There is zero waste shooting tight behind the shoulder. Also no risk of bullet deflection of the shoulder blade.

[@rodneyconover4170]

I have to agree with you on this! A couple inches back and you get a double lung shot Why do a shoulder shot then have to walk up to them to finish them off! Inhumane IMO

[@StealthTRD]

​@@rodneyconover4170finish them off? You aint ever shot one high shoulder an its obvious. They drop and die faster than a double lung 💯

[@bobvedder2451]

Why not take head shots? A miss is usually clean and a hit is almost an instant kill.

[@twolak1972]

And IF THE MISS IS,NT CLEAN YOU COULD BLOW THE JAW OR NOSE OFF SETTING THE ANIMAL UP FOR TERRIBLE SUFFERING BEFORE IT EVENTUALLY DIES FROM STARVATION. ANYONE TAKING A HEAD SHOT KNOWS NITHING ABOUT ETHICAL HUNTING OR HSS ANT RESPECT FOR THE ANIMAL.

[@orionoutdoorsandworkshop5617]

@@twolak1972 kiss off. i have killed deer every time i head shot. i usually go for the neck myself. dont shoot at ALL if your not confident of killing the animal. in fact every head shot i have taken has been drop dead, i have made good body shots where i have to track the animal down. besides the fact it bruises and ruins the meat most of the time if you go for the shoulder shot, especially if your using a 30-06 or such a high power weapon wasting half the friggen animal. i have killed many deer and i have more respect for them than i do humans in general. learn how to spell so someone can decipher your comment.

[@ChristianSaugmann]

Hi Bob. Thanks for your question. In my view, a headshot is a very advanced shot. It should never be taken from the side, but even with that approach, the head moves a great deal more than the chest and the brain is smaller. So you have a very limited margin for error. For the majority of hunters I personally don't think it's worth the risk. For fast killing, I think a neck shot is a better option. That's also a more advanced shot though. All the best.

[@eugenegress5896]

Broadside shots, widest part, base of neck..., its over!

[@chuckthompson4305]

Thatisawasteofshouldergoodmeat