I have shot many deer in the neck and many deer behind the shoulder. I prefer a shoulder/lung shot. I actually shot a doe in the neck this year with a ballistic tip and lost it. The doe dropped and when I got down to get her she jumped up and ran off. I believe I shot her through the teaches b/c I could hear it blowing when it for up. First time it ever happened. It will probably bleed out and die but left very little blood and was running very good. Point is there is a very little margin of error with a neck shot. Sure deer will likely run a little with a vital shot but there is more room for error. Don't be too lazy to track one.