I can remember every shot I have taken while hunting so far this year.  Current as of the time I am writing this, I pulled the trigger on my turkey gun four times and harvested four turkeys;  I shot my .270 three times and harvested 2 pigs in Alabama, and a buck in Missouri.  I shot my muzzleloader once and got a doe in Kansas; the crossbow was fired once and I got a doe in Kansas; and I shot my .308 once and harvested a doe in Missouri.  Perhaps, you are thinking to yourself, “Wow – this guy must be a great shot”.  Perhaps that thought didn’t cross your mind!  Either way, I am here to tell you I am not a great shot. 

There is a big difference between being a great shot, and taking a great shot.  Those that can be described as being great shots include the marksmen and markswomen among us ………they consistently put incredibly tight groups together that exceed those of the average man.  A great shot, on the other hand, is one that presents itself in such a way that has an extremely high level of certainty that if taken will result in a cleanly harvested animal.  We cannot all be great shots, but we can all take great shots. 

 If we all went to the range together I would guess I would come out about average.  Some of you probably do more shooting at targets each year than I have done in my life.  On the other hand, I get to the range enough to feel comfortable with my weapons and how I am shooting them.  I do a reasonable job judging distances and having my breathing rhythms done well.  Regardless, I would guess I am no better than the average shot among the people who frequent this website and are regulars on the Talk Hunting forums.  So, have I just gotten lucky this year?  While I am not a great shot, I do take pride in ensuring I have a great shot before taking it.  There is a difference.  While I cannot take any special pride in my marksmanship, I do take pride in trying to ensure that I have a great shot before I try to take the shot.  This is a skill that anyone can master, and I believe will result in more satisfaction for your hunts.

 The “Great Shot” mindset.

The most important piece of making your shot is selecting what shot you will take – and deciding which ones you won't take. My dad used to say he only needed one cartridge for his deer rifle each year, but he would take two just for fun. When I decided to get into turkey hunting a friend took me out to get some gear. I noted that there were only ten shells in a box. His response was that ten shells should last several years and translate into at least 9 turkeys.  Both of these people had the mindset that when they pulled the trigger it would be in situations where they were confident of success. They both reinforced in me to hold off until I got the shot I wanted. It is said that patience is a virtue, and this applies to hunting. It can be maddening when you have been holding that shotgun steady for what seems an eternity while that tom is standing just out of range. But it is important.

The key to your shot percentage is your mindset.  I once suffered greatly from having a bad case of the 'itchy trigger finger'.  I would see the first deer of the season and couldn't wait to click that safety.  A turkey would stop a bit short of my set up, and I would agonize over it and convince myself he wasn't getting any closer.  Some of this has been alleviated by experience.  The heart still hammers in my chest, but my brain remains a bit more engaged than in years gone by.  However, even more than experience I have tried to commit myself to waiting until as close to a perfect shot as possible before I consider taking it.

We have probably all heard the adage during the rifle deer season that when you hear one shot there is likely a deer down; two shots and it is possible; three shots it is unlikely.  There certainly is some truth to that. 

Often when we take a less than optimal shot, it is because that is the only shot we see presenting itself.  However, you never know that for certain.  I recall having my thumb on the safety agonizing over a buck that had winded me and jumped back into a thicket.  I was kicking myself for not having taken the shot a split second earlier.  With my spirits low, I mentally was recounting my 'failure' when a better buck came in from the opposite direction and gave me the shot I needed.  I have learned that the turkey that won't commit to your decoy may just change his mind if you will sit tight.  Even when that tom turns and walks away it doesn't mean it is over. 

Once you pull that trigger it pretty much is over.  Once you pull the trigger you have let all the game around you know that danger lurks at your location,  and these animals can be educated.  Taking ill advised shots can mess up your hunt for the rest of the day. 

I recall a fellow turkey hunter telling me that he let loose at a gobbler that was stuck some 50-60 yards away even though he felt the odds of the shot being successful were virtually none.  I pointed out to him that he could have moved his set up 30 yards the next day and likely sealed the deal.  He hadn't thought of that.  He also admitted he didn't hear or see another gobbler on his small property the rest of the day.  If you want to brag to me about your turkey hunting skills, don’t brag about the length of your shot but about how close you got that bird to come before you squeezed the trigger!

Be aware that you often only get one shot.  Have the mindset that you will make it count. 

Know what makes a great shot

Somewhere down the line most of us have had someone explain to us about shot placement.  Yet we hear about people taking low percentage or ill advised shots somewhat regularly. 

It is important to understand the anatomy of the animals to understand where to put your shot.  I recently hunted pigs for the first time and did some checking before hand and asked others to help me understand where that shot needed to be in order to put one down cleanly. Take time to learn these things before you go out in the field.

Consider your set up

Choosing the right set up can be critical to getting the right shot.  Bow hunters understand the importance of clearing their shooting lanes in preparation of the hunt.  However, having open shots is just as important for rifle and shotgun shots as well.  When picking your set-up be aware of the obstacles and obstructions that are present.  When possible, remove them or if necessary pick a different spot.  

Distance is another important factor with any set up.  Before the shot presents itself, scout your set up and use a range finder or your stride to know the distance between key landmarks and your set up.  I totally embarrassed myself once in Wyoming while hunting antelope.  I was not used to the wide open terrain and took some shots that probably were twice as far as I estimated them to be. 

On the first (only) time I went pig hunting, the outfitter asked my preference for a number of promising stands.  Having heard of how tough these critters can be to put down, I picked one in thick cover where if a hog presented itself it would be a nice, close shot.  The strategy paid off when a hog appeared at 30 yards quartering away, providing the perfect 'set up' shot for harvesting my first hog. 

 Know your abilities and your limitations, as well as those of your weapon

Some of you reading this might indeed be very capable of making shots the average person cannot.  That’s great!  Others may be at the opposite end of the spectrum.  Regardless, be aware of what you can and cannot do with your weapon.  This was the first year I had a crossbow exemption, and I borrowed a friend's to try.  It was an older model and the drop between each five yard increment past fifteen was significant.  I practice enough up to 30 yards but concluded that would be my limit with this weapon.  I did get out in the field one day and immediately ranged my 30 yard trees.  A young buck pushed a doe my way, and she stopped just outside that line.  I waited patiently and sure enough she bolted past me only to stop right at 25 yards and turn broadside.  I felt comfortable with the shot and was able to make a clean pass through of the bolt.  Since then I have bought a new crossbow and already feel more comfortable with it at a slightly longer range. 

Each person is different; as are many of the firearms and bows we have to shoot with.  Know yourself and know your equipment.  Don’t let anyone or anything outside influence you into taking a shot you are not comfortable with taking. 

Consider the ethics of the shot

Finally, be aware of the consequences of your shot should you miss.  We owe it to the animals we hunt to make clean, ethical shots.  None of us want to see a wounded animal.  Waiting for a great shot helps minimize that risk.

Of course there are times when everyone misses.  It happens to everyone.  However, it will happen less if you do some planning ahead of time, have a realistic knowledge of your abilities and what constitutes a great shot, and hold off until you get it. 

Again, we cannot all be a great shot, but we can all take a great shot!

By Miscellaneous Authors

This section is for articles published by a host of amateur authors. Some of these authors are former staff members but many of them are just regular people that had an article in their heart they wanted published. Here at TalkHunting, we believe everyone has a message and we try to accomodate that when possible.