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I know this has been posted before but, after reading alot of posts during Archery Season I wanted to do this.
This is not intended to start arguments, my only intention is help a few archers and save a few wounded deer.
1. The lungs are the largest target available. Protected only by the ribcage. This shot gives you a great opportunity for a pass through shot.
2. The heart is a small target. It is also protected by the largest of the ribcage bones and also the bones of the shoulder.
I read alot about guys shooting through the shoulder or shoulder blade. This is not only difficult but contains the greatest margin for error. Arrows deflect very easily and many times what appeared to be a good shot was just a deflection away from the vitals. These shots produce alot of blood and many result without recovering your deer.
Most shots from archers are from treestands. This method greatly increases the angles at which an arrow strikes a deer. That fact alone increases the odds of deflection, the greater the angle the greater chance of deflection.
The next largest factor to consider is the position of the animal. Looking at the broadside view you can see that this is when the deer is most vulnerable. The vitals provide the biggest target and the bones are the most avoidable. When a deer is quartering away the spacing between the ribs disappears rapidly and when quartering to you the shoulder blade as well as the head protect the body.
I hope this helped someone, if not for a new bowhunter than a good refresher for the more experienced.