I read there are quite a few people who will aim for the neck of certain game animals (i.e. deer, elk) in order to bring it down quickly but ensure no meat is lost. Now, obviously, if you hit the spine in the neck, that deer's going down right there, but on the other hand, the spine and the blood vessels are a small target.

Have you ever taken a neck shot? If not, would you?

I have shot several deer in the base of the neck, generally when they are facing in my direction or quartering. They go down hard. The upper neck I would consider akin to a head shot, lot of room for error.

Straight up the front leg to the top of the back, then down4-6". Done that to deer, most African plains game. Not on really big stuff like elk, moose. I go for low to mid shoulder to break them down, not instantly. A lot of times this shot also drops them.

I have, on numerous occasions, partaken of the neck shot. Both the top and bottom of said spine juncture. Either can be quite devastating when done correctly.

I have as well, but usually in the forward facing position. At that time, I aim at the base of the neck and have had very good success.

At the end of the Whitetail season when we need meat for sausage or hamburger that is the prime time for neck or head shots. Get the deer's attention, and when they look at you (your direction), put the crosshairs in the middle of the white patch on their throat and squeeze. I'll only take the shot if I have a solid rest and the deer isn't spooked.

Did it for the first time this last hunting season down in Texas because it was mandated by the ranch boss. Won't ever do it again though. Didn't like it one bit. Not saying you guys are wrong for doing it. Just saying you guys got better nerves than me.

I have shot pigs in the neck. Puts them down on the spot.

Killed many deer with head and neck shots. All with rifle slug gun muzzleloader. I am not good enough to make that shot with my hand guns, yet. That said hit my buck , last year, in the chest on first shot he ran around behind me stopping about 30 yrs looking back giving me a straight away shot only giving me rump head and neck. I had to shoot weak hand around a tree I was sitting in. Made the shot with gods help through the neck and out the throat to finish him off. Not a shot I would attempt on a healthy deer but to end a mortally wounded deer it was warranted.

I would

no. seen to many bad shots by people who dont make bad shots resulting in shot off lower jaw (head shots), inflamed necks restricting air water and food ect. wouldent want to go that way myself. on the other hand if your comfortable with it go ahead. me i like heart/lung and broken shoulders. not that these dont have their own problems, just more room for error.

made a bad shot and hit one in the neck several years ago.
Didnt kill it but dropped it where it stood.
Had to dispatch it with a lung shot.

I'm not against neck shots but I pick my shots with handguns just like bow hunting, I wait for a broadside shot and take out the lungs. They may run a little but they are always dead.