Would you intentionally "bust" shoulders?

[Doegirl]

I know Greg does for broadhead testing, but that's different

Assuming your setup is generates a good deal of KE, would you intentionally shoot a deer through the shoulder? Reason I ask is because of this: www.hunting.net/forum/tm.aspx?m=2747663

[mtshooter]

IMO there is no reason to take a chance on just wounding the animal. I know that I would not be able to make that shot work, so no I would never would take the intentional shoulder shot.

[smj]

Enough things go wrong with shots from time to time, why make things harder right up front? No, I would not take the shot.

[Greg Krause]

I have always shot deer through the shoulder if the shoulder was in the way. Of course I wouldn't do it with a light set up or at long range, but under a lot of circumstances I will. I know my ability and the ability of my equipment.
I'm going to say this honestly and I don't want anyone taking it as "tooting my horn", so please don't. The majority of hunters out there do not have the ability to make a lot of shots i do. I am good on targets and just as good on animals. It takes a LOT of experience and calm nerves. To add to it, most people don't have the equipment i do.
I always take the first shot that I know i can make and I know will result in a clean kill......that means long range, quartering toward, straight down, steep quartering away..... I would not recomend a lot of the shots I take to most people. Under the right situation, with the right shooting using the right rig, they will be lethal.

[BT]

I'll agree with those statements as you have stated them Greg because I have seen enough of your kills to know that your not over stating your contention as it applies to you.

As for myself...I (till recently) always shot well back from the shoulders and did so while envisioning where those shoulders would end up during a string jump.
I do not shoot the best head for hard bone impact so by no means would I ever shoot for the shoulders.

I agree that my position is that which smj has posted ahead of me.

[CopperHead]

I personally like to stick close to the crease. Sticking close does at times cause me to come in contact with the shoulder. Whould I shoot it on purpose? If I have a broadhead I have confidence in and the shot is 20 yards or less on thin skinned animals like deer, yes I would. Elk or Buffalo.. No way.

I have always been taught, whether it was wrong or right, to break the front shoulder. But then again my family has always been firearm hunters. Regardless of all that like Greg said my intent is for a quick clean kill. If I don't think it will be I won't take the shot.

[bambeklr]

I mostly shoot for behind the shoulders. But as greg said above. I too take the first shot that I know I cant take and make a clean kill. If this would be through the front shoulders than so be it. I have done it before and will not hesitate that shot. But I also always shot hi kenetic enrgy setups. The shoulder isnt for everyone.

[Doegirl]

harveycj said:

I personally like to stick close to the crease. Sticking close does at times cause me to come in contact with the shoulder. Whould I shoot it on purpose? If I have a broadhead I have confidence in and the shot is 20 yards or less on thin skinned animals like deer, yes I would. Elk or Buffalo.. No way.

I have always been taught, whether it was wrong or right, to break the front shoulder. But then again my family has always been firearm hunters. Regardless of all that like Greg said my intent is for a quick clean kill. If I don't think it will be I won't take the shot.

I go for the shoulder shot too-with my muzzleloader BOOM-FLOP!