Where to Shoot a Deer With a Bow: Shot Placement Guide

Where to shoot a deer with a bow? Aim for the heart-lung area. On a broadside deer, that means about five inches behind the shoulder and about halfway up the body. A quartering-away deer is also a good shot if you aim toward the opposite front leg. Pass on quartering-to, head-on and straight-away shots, and only shoot within the range you have practiced.

Below we cover each shot angle, the shots to skip, effective range and what to do after the shot. Gearing up for the season? See our bowhunting shirts.

Why shot placement matters in bowhunting

An arrow kills by cutting vital organs, so where it lands matters more than how fast it flies. Bowhunter magazine puts it simply: there is "no obvious, pre-marked aiming reference" on a live animal, so it is "critical to know your target's anatomy beforehand" and pick a spot from full draw to impact (Bowhunter).

The vital area holds the heart, lungs and liver. A hit there means a short blood trail and a quick, ethical recovery.

Where to shoot a deer with a bow when it stands broadside

Bowhunter says a well-placed arrow on a broadside deer "is going to prove fatal nearly 100 percent of the time," because the deer exposes its whole vital area and only hide, thin muscle and ribs protect it.

Where to aim: "about five inches behind the deer's shoulder and about halfway up the deer's body." Aiming a little higher and further back than the heart gives a bigger margin for error. A hit there takes both lungs; a drift forward still hits lungs or heart, and a drift back can hit the liver.

One more tip from the same article: if you can, wait until the deer's near front leg moves forward. That moves the shoulder blade out of the way.

Quartering away: the most forgiving shot

Bowhunter calls the quartering-away shot "arguably best for bowhunters" because the angle sends the arrow forward through the body cavity into the chest. Use the opposite front leg as your aiming reference and stay about halfway up the body.

The trade-off: the arrow may not exit, so the blood trail can be lighter. Mark where the deer was standing and where you last saw it.

Shots to pass on

• Quartering to: Bowhunter says these "ought to be avoided" because the near shoulder blade "act[s] as a shield for the vital area."
• Head-on and straight away: the target is small and bone and the digestive tract are in the way. Wait for the deer to turn.
• Moving or alert deer: a walking deer or one that is "on edge" can move before the arrow arrives. Stop a walking deer with a soft bleat or grunt first.
• Brush in the way: even small twigs can deflect an arrow. Only shoot through a clear lane.

How far should you shoot a deer with a bow?

There is no single number. Your effective range is the longest distance at which you can put every arrow in a small target in practice, from the same height and position you hunt. Practice from a tree stand or blind, and use a rangefinder to mark landmarks before deer show up.

Check your state wildlife agency for legal equipment, seasons and any minimum draw weight or broadhead rules before you hunt.

What to do after the shot

• Watch the deer as long as you can and mark the last spot you saw it.
• Find your arrow and read the blood: bright red and frothy often points to lungs, dark red can mean liver.
• Wait before tracking. Give a lung hit some time, and a liver or gut hit much longer, so you do not push the deer.

Want to know what deer notice in the woods? Read what colors can deer see and how to use a grunt call for deer.

Bowhunting shirts for the season

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FAQ

Can you shoot a deer straight on with a bow?

It is generally best to pass. A head-on deer shows a small target protected by bone. Wait for a broadside or quartering-away angle.

How far are most deer shot with a bow?

There is no set number. Shoot only as far as you can group arrows reliably in practice.

Where is the most lethal place to shoot a deer with a bow?

The heart-lung area. On a broadside deer, aim about five inches behind the shoulder and halfway up the body to hit both lungs.

Should you aim for the heart?

Aiming right at the heart puts you close to the shoulder bone. Many bowhunters aim slightly higher and further back for a lung shot with more margin for error.