Can you shoot a deer laying down? - The Environmental Literacy Council (2025)

The question of whether or not to shoot a deer that is bedded down is one of the most debated topics among hunters. The short answer is: yes, you can shoot a deer that is lying down, provided you have a legal tag and are hunting during the appropriate season, and you’re absolutely certain of a clean, ethical shot. However, the situation is far more complex than a simple yes or no. It involves numerous ethical considerations, practical challenges, and a thorough understanding of deer anatomy. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of this frequently encountered scenario in the field.

The Ethical Considerations

The Debate

The act of shooting a bedded animal is controversial for a couple of reasons. On one hand, successfully stalking and getting within range of a bedded deer demonstrates considerable hunting skill and patience. It shows that the hunter has outsmarted the animal in its own environment. On the other hand, a bedded deer presents a unique set of challenges.

The Challenge of Vital Placement

When a deer is lying down, its body is often compressed, making it more difficult to accurately discern the location of its vital organs. The angles can be deceptive, and the usual landmarks used when a deer is standing, like the leg-to-shoulder alignment, are distorted. This increased difficulty raises concerns about the potential for wounding the animal rather than achieving a clean, humane kill.

Minimizing Suffering

The primary concern of any responsible hunter is to ensure a quick and ethical kill. This translates to a shot that immediately affects the central nervous system or circulatory system. When a deer is bedded, the angles and obscured vitals can make this more difficult to achieve. Therefore, a hunter must be extremely confident in their shot placement capabilities before taking such a shot.

Practical Considerations and Best Practices

Aiming Points for a Bedded Deer

When shooting a bedded deer, the target remains the same: aiming for the heart and lung area. However, the application of this principle shifts slightly due to the deer’s posture.

The Ideal Shot

Aim right behind the shoulder and one-third of the way up from the belly line. This should penetrate the heart, lungs, or major arteries. For sharper quartering away positions, aiming for the offside shoulder (the one farthest away) can be effective. Often, this will send the bullet through the stomach first but will ultimately reach the vitals. However, this shot should be avoided if possible, due to the risk of a gut shot.

Shot Placement Variations

The exact aim point may vary slightly depending on the deer’s precise position, the angle of its body, and the angle at which the hunter is shooting. Careful evaluation is crucial before squeezing the trigger. Never rush the shot. Use your binoculars to double-check the position of your target, and ensure that you are aiming where you intend to before firing.

When to Reconsider

If you have any doubt about your shot placement, it’s always better to pass on the shot. Ethical hunting is about more than simply filling a tag; it’s about respect for the animal. If a deer is bedded down in tall grass and its vitals are obscured, it’s best to wait for a better opportunity, even if it means the deer will likely move.

Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where Do You Shoot a Downed Deer to Finish It?

If the animal is still alive after the initial shot, it should be finished with a quick shot to the base of the ear. If you wish to mount the head, place your shot in the heart-lung area. For bowhunters, the only option is placing an arrow in the heart-lung area.

2. Should I Shoot a Deer With Its Head Up or Down?

While it might seem counterintuitive, it is often recommended to shoot a deer when its head is up, especially if it is an alert deer. With the head up, it is taking more effort. If the deer is relaxed and unaware, the head position might not matter as much, but it is always preferable to have a clearer view of the vitals.

3. Why Don’t Hunters Shoot Deer in the Head?

Shooting a deer in the head is generally discouraged due to the small size of the brain and the high risk of an inaccurate shot causing unnecessary suffering. Also, a head shot can damage the skull if a hunter wishes to mount it and does not produce the best meat.

4. How Long Should You Wait After Shooting a Deer?

Wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before trailing a deer. This allows a mortally wounded animal to lie down, go into shock, and expire, rather than running from the hunter.

5. How Long Can a Deer Lay After Being Shot?

A heart-shot deer can often be recovered almost immediately. A double-lung shot can typically be tracked within 30 to 90 minutes. A single-lung or liver hit deer should be tracked in 4 to 6 hours, and a gut-shot deer should be tracked in 8 to 12 hours or more.

6. Should I Gut a Deer Right Away?

Yes, it’s generally recommended to gut a deer as soon as possible to preserve the quality of the meat. Gutting helps cool the meat quickly and reduces the risk of spoilage and bacterial contamination.

7. What Do You Do Immediately After Killing a Deer?

Field dressing or quartering should be done soon after harvest to quickly cool the deer. Bacteria grow rapidly in temperatures above 40°F and can spoil the meat quickly.

8. What Time Do Deer Lay Down?

Deer tend to bed down during the day, typically between the hours of 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. They are also more active during the hours before dark.

9. Why is a Deer Lying Down?

Deer lay down for rest, to conserve energy, or sometimes when injured or in distress. Observing the deer’s behavior is key to understanding its condition.

10. How Do You Sneak Up on Bedded Deer?

Stay just down from the ridge’s spine on one side, so you’re hidden from the top but can peer up there every so often to glass. Take only a step or two every few minutes, and plan on the hunt taking an hour or more.

11. Do Deer Always Leave a Blood Trail?

While not always copious, there will likely be at least some blood at the location you hit the deer. Bright pink and bubbly blood typically indicates a lung shot.

12. Do Deer Snort After Being Shot?

Deer sometimes snort after being shot, even after experiencing a mortal wound. This is often a reaction to stress and does not mean it wasn’t a good shot.

13. Does It Hurt a Deer When You Shoot It?

If properly hit in the brain or heart, a deer will die instantly without feeling pain. A well-placed shot prevents any prolonged suffering.

14. Can You Leave a Dead Deer in the Woods?

A deceased deer will not be left alone in the woods. Scavengers will soon find the body. However, if a hunter shoots a deer without the proper tag, it is illegal to leave it.

15. Why Should You Not Shoot a Deer in the Neck?

While a well-placed neck shot can be fatal, the vital area on a neck shot is quite small. If the shot is too low, it will wound the animal with very little chance of recovery. It is a high-risk shot that is generally discouraged.

Conclusion

Shooting a bedded deer is possible, but it demands a high level of skill, patience, and ethical consideration. Always prioritize a clean, humane kill, even if it means passing on the shot. By understanding the nuances of shot placement, waiting the proper amount of time, and adhering to ethical hunting practices, hunters can ensure both a successful and respectful experience in the field. The decision to take such a shot should not be taken lightly; it is paramount to ensure that hunting is done ethically, with respect for the animal, and with minimal suffering.