In fact, it does not. This story is a great example of the perfect rifle shot on a deer. My .308 Remington shell smashed through the deer’s shoulder bone, pierced both lungs and demolished the brachial plexus. This resulted in an instantly paralyzed and quickly deceased deer. It is critical for every hunter to master the shoulder shot, as it is the most effective and humane means of killing a deer with a firearm.

The shoulder shot is so effective because it destroys three main parts of the deer’s body. First the bullet hits the shoulder blade, which results in immediate physical disablement of the deer and an immediate crash to the ground. Second, the bullet will destroy the brachial plexus, which is a hot spot around the shoulder blade of nerves, muscle, veins and tendons. Destruction of the brachial plexus typically results in paralysis. Lastly, the bullet should penetrate both lungs, which will quickly and effectively end the deers life. All hunters should strive to put this kind of hit on every deer they fire at. It is speculated that most hunters tend to aim behind the shoulder at the main vital area of the lungs and heart. This shot will kill the deer effectively, but it will not be as quick and sudden as the shoulder shot. But as a word of warning, some hunters complain that the shoulder shot damages more meat. Opinions differ, as some say the shoulder meat loss can be as little as two pounds or as much as fifteen.

David E. Petzal, when speaking of the shoulder shot says, “Almost always, when a critter is struck there and the bullet does its job, the beast goes down right away or within a few steps. The shoulder shot is the way to go if you have a bullet that will break bone reliably and if you are shooting something big that may object to the proceedings.”

So remember, for the quickest, most effective and humane killing of a deer, aim at the shoulder, hold steady and put the hammer down. The buck of your dreams should be dead in his tracks and waiting for your arrival.

I’ve just recently gotten done checking out Deer & Deer Hunting’s new interactive cd, Vital Information. This is one serious resource. Vital Information is a CD you can run on your computer, which includes digital articles and videos regarding everything you need to know about the Whitetail anatomy. This is a really a great learning tool for any deer camp or class in regards to deer hunting or just any interested hunter. It’s just an awesome informative tool.

Vital Information includes a selection of some of the best articles that have appeared in Deer & Deer Hunting magazine, all relating to “vital” information in regards to deer. Articles cover topics such as shot placement, deer blood, lungs, digestive system, hearing, and guides to field dressing and skinning deer. The videos show deer hunts and then analyze the quality of the shot selection and how it could have been improved.

Here are the features of the program according to the publisher:

• Exclusive Vital Vision interactive computer program which allows you to view an anatomically correct whitetail from 360 degrees. View all of a deer’s internal organs and bones from every possible shooting angle. Move screens in and out to see organs and bones.
• 5 instructional hunting videos on proper shot placementshow breath-taking hunts for trophy bucks and teach you the do’s and don’ts of shot placement as our staff rates each shot in detail.
• 8 full-length articles on whitetail science and physiologyteach you the science behind the inner workings of a deer’s lungs, rumen, esophagus and circulatory system.

• Full color deer-hair identification guide
• Complete deer anatomy charts with full-color illustrations
• Photo essay to help age deer by their teeth
• Blood-trailing tips and tactics
• Guide to caping, skinning, field dressing and processing
• Illustrations on how to identify the tracks of a wounded deer
• Explanations on why deer and build to survive

I  found the 360 degree views of the deer’s anatomy and shot placement videos to be particularly helpful. This is information that most hunters just aren’t exposed to, but really should be. Another really interesting article takes on the myth of the “dead space” in between the top of the lungs and the backbone. Looks like there is no such thing!

Here is a video clip explaining more about what Vital Information is all about.

The only problem I had with this CD was that at one point the words got all scrambled on the first couple pages of the interactive menu, I reloaded it and the problem was gone. Otherwise this looks to be a high quality, super informative deer hunting resource.

If you’re looking to take the step from being a deer hunter to a deer hunting expert, Vital Information will certainly help you get there.

To pick up a copy of Vital Information follow this link.