What is the typical broadside heart-lung shot location on a deer?

• A. The hindquarter region.
• B. The neck area, near the throat.
• C. The chest behind the front shoulder, aimed toward the heart-lung region, avoiding bone and the shoulder joint.
• D. The head.

Answer: (C)

A broadside shot is aimed for the heart-lung area in the chest behind the front shoulder. This location offers a large, forgiving target and intersects the vital organs, increasing the chance of a quick, humane kill and a clean wound that often results in a decisive, productive track without needing extreme follow-up.

Hitting behind the shoulder also helps avoid bone—particularly the shoulder blade and dense rib bones—that can deflect the bullet or prevent full penetration. For comparison, aiming at the hindquarter misses the vital organs, reducing lethality and increasing the chance of a hard follow-up; the neck or head presents a much smaller target, higher risk of missing the vital area, and greater ethical and safety concerns.