Whats the deal with all the head shot hunting lately?

Tricky · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2011, 11:20 PM

This may seem like I'm whining a bit, but over the last year I have heard so much talk about using headshots, with underpowered rifles, for the game they are hunting for. It always seems to be young kids that are just getting into hunting, or think they are some sort of snipers. I try to explain that a head shot is not a good choice, nor should it the first choice at a shot. I'm fairly young, but was always taught to take a high percentage shot, and the more variables you can subtract, the more positive the outcome. I don't see why the head shot is all the craze now???? To me the lung/heart area is my go to spot. A 243 is the mininum that I was tought was a deer rifle. At the gun range we have a bunch of new people coming in, and I'm kinda getting sick about hearing how they are going to go out this deer season and head shot their monster buck with a sub deer cartridge. I live in central/northern Michigan. Is this becoming more common in your areas too? Like I said maybe I'm over thinking it, but you should respect any animal you are hunting for enough to make a clean ethical kill.

gfdeputy2 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-13-2011, 05:43 AM

well put sounds like when I go play paintball & the "newbies" spend all this money because they are going to Snipe everyone usually doesn't work
I will avoid the headshot Heart & Lungs is where it is at for me. I was alway's tought to aim for mass

kemster99 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2011, 01:39 PM

well, i don't head shoot, but i will look and wait for the neck shot. unless it is a buck that is in question of being mounted. But with as much range time and time i put in shooting hogs, i feel very confident with my weapons and my abilities to take the neck shots. My longest on a deer was last season right at 220 yds with a 270. the AR i use for hogs, so far has been about 150 yds. much easier to track with a neck shot. lol. DRT.

Tricky · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011, 12:50 AM

I have taken neck shots on hogs and they are very effective. I just don't think i would ever risk a head shot. I've been shooting for 10 years now and while I'm no sniper, I feel very confident with all my guns. I too use a 270 a lot and love it. Many of the guys at the range that are bragging about head shots can't even get a 3 inch grouping. Thats pretty inadequate to me for a heart or lung shot let alone a head shot.

buckfever · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011, 01:12 AM

No head or neck shots here.. I have to take the biggest shot available..

Havent heard much talk of folks preferring to shoot this way but my time around young hunters is somewhat limited..

Hunting Man · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011, 05:06 AM

head shots are the poacher choise of instant illegal killing. It's not my cup of soup and never would be.

spiker · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011, 06:26 AM

Im not gonna mince words these are the same idiots taking fifty yard bow shots at a deers back end.This is stupidity and not ethical. These guys believe they are snipers.lol

timetohunt · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011, 09:11 AM

I think part of this is related to the video games and "video game mentality." [I will admit that I enjoy a simulated hunting game during the off sesaon to pull me through until opening day.] There are quite a few games that encourage head shots above all else and award more points/prizes for killing virtual quarry with a head shot. Kids that are easily impressionable play these and are taught head shots are best.

With that said I have not heard any talk about hunters taking head shots. Its all heart/lung shots in my neck of the woods. Always take the time to mentor those hunters less experienced than yourself.

Karl.Luhr · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011, 12:41 PM

Even though I know I spelled it wrong above we have all seen the targets that look like a Deer that has been xrayed. I think if we as members of shooting ranges put these targets up for display during the hunter sight in days it would foster questions. If we then took some minutes to explain why the recommended location for shooting a Deer is in the heart/lung area alot less Deer would be wounded and lost.

Karl

Hellbilly · #10 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl.Luhr

Even though I know I spelled it wrong above we have all seen the targets that look like a Deer that has been xrayed. I think if we as members of shooting ranges put these targets up for display during the hunter sight in days it would foster questions. If we then took some minutes to explain why the recommended location for shooting a Deer is in the heart/lung area alot less Deer would be wounded and lost.

Karl

your right about that.and yes I do hear alot about head shots for the past 2yrs.Most or younguns doing it.There watching to many of them hunting shows that make it look real easy.I hate to see wounded deer.