I am not much for the Ol' Texas Heart Shot. I am not all that ethical of a hunter like some folks but It seems to me that shooting a deer in the butt with an arrow is not quite the same as shooting one in the chest. I probably wouldn't shoot a deer in the ass with a bow but I have never been afforded the opportunity. With a rifle I have seen many deer die via a butt shot but I myself have never done it, not that I am a crack shot or a master hunter I usually just dont shoot until I can have a clear shot at the vitals so I know that I can drop it quick instead of chasing a venison pin cushion around the woods for the rest of the day.

Never done it. Guess like you said, depends on that particular situation. To me, you better have a bow that flat lays the hammer (315 or so) if your going to do it. I'm the type that would feel like crap for a week if I lost its trail though making a bad shot. I think it depends on if I've let the freezer get to low or not. I've heard enough stories to know it is deadly.

Maybe you don't eat meat. The hinds are some choice meat. You should be aware of the kill area and if you cannot make a kill shot don't freaking shoot! The animal can live with an arrow in it ass, but will suffer and the more mature hunter would correct their attitude to allow for these situations. If you cannot humanely take the animal pass up on the shot. Go ask your local DNR rep. what they think of your idea. Efficiency is not wasting meat just to kill.

No doubt a femal artery or a long pass through can take place. However, you have so many factors against you and you often don't get the many results you want.

First, if you take a 14" circle and place it at 20 yards, and then place a 2.5" circle at 20 yards. It obvious which one is an easier, or more forgiving to error, shot. Such is true for the double lung target area vs. the possible deadly shots from the rear.

Second, you want a pass through lung shot, when possible, to create blood trail and suffocation. With the Texas Heart Shot, you can easily miss "the heart" be glancing off any portion of the pelvic bone or leg bones. As well, you have at best one bleed hole.

Lastly, if you hunt from a tree stand, this shot is more likely than not, not even an option for the angle presented.

My only exception is on second shots on game, and if it's the only shot presented. That is very rare, it's only happened to me once, and I opted to aim for the back of the head.

Many other factors to consider are size of animal (although you specifically asked about deer), distance, and kinetic energy your arrow is going to produce.

As a measurer for Pope & Young, I can honestly say that no hunter that was submitting for entry into the record books, that I have measured for, have ever admitted to this shot.

I never have and never will take the texas heart shot.
granted if the bullet ends up where it's intended then you have a deer down, just that you maybe wasting alot of meat shooting it up the rump.

Good Hunting.

I agree with R W on this one. If that's your only shot, let it go, or wait for it to turn. And it's not as deadly as you claim. All you end of doing is ruining too much meat, moreso with a firearm. What if you were shooting from a higher angle, and the arrow passed through and came out thru the deer's belly? You guessed it, the deer just ran off. If you can't ensure a quick kill, don't make the shot. I've had many an opportunity to take such a shot, and if it meant waiting for the deer to turn or the deer running off, I'd rather let it go and wait for a better shot.

also known as the "texas heart shot" it is a poor choice at best for shot placement. If you make the shot, it tends to rupture the bladder and smaller intestines, as well as the stomach, which dumps all that nasty stuff into the abdominal cavity and into the bullet channel. This tends to ruin a lot of meat, and can in fact make it toxic. In addition, animals tend to run farther and suffer a great deal more pain from this shot, especially if it is off center. This not only allows the animal to suffer, which is not what hunting is about, but it also tends to cause them to dump adrenalin into their system, which also affects the taste of the meat. It sounds like you need to work on your stalking skills, or gain more patience to wait for a better shot. That's not meant as a put down, it is a serious suggestion. I'd rather pass on the shot and wait for a better opportunity.
Shoot safe