Making the Shot

You apply for big game tags, buy the right gear, scout your land, and even hunt well, but if you aren’t a good shot, it’s all for naught. Hunting isn’t just about hanging meat on the pole; hunters need to be responsible for their actions. A good shot means a quick, clean kill in the vast majority of cases, while a poor shot means wounded and lost animals. This can be pre­vented by investing a little time and effort in learning to be a competent shooter. Be ready, get set Start with a clean gun and keep it that way. Dirty barrels can ruin accuracy. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shooting a rifle, shot­gun, or muzzleloader, the first step to taking the criti­cal shot at a big game ani­mal is making sure that the sights on the firearm are lined up with the projectile’s point of impact. This means careful sighting in, which can be tedious, but well worth it. Rush this step with a new gun and you may be in for years of frustration. Do it prop­erly and it’s simply a matter of annually making minor adjustments as needed. Another piece of gear for improving your shooting is an adult-sized .22 rimfire or accu­rate pellet rifle. The mechanics of shooting this firearm are the same as its larger cousin, but without the recoil, expensive ammo, and noise. Look for one that replicates as closely as possible your deer rifle, shotgun, or muz­zleloader. This small firearm can be a great tool that teaches you how to shoot without wrecking your body or bank account. When it comes time to hunt, make sure you sight in and practise with exactly the same firearm and loads as you intend to use hunting. Changing bullet weights, brands, and designs can alter the point of impact of your bullet and cause misses, especially at longer distances where pinpoint accuracy is most important. Picture-perfect practice Few people can grab their trusty deer slayer and shoot accurately on opening morning if they haven’t fired it since last season. The real secret to great shooting is practice. In Ontario, most deer are taken from sit­ting, kneeling, or standing positions. All have their applications and you should practise each one. Shooting from a sitting position is important for tree stand hunters. Bring your hunting stool (or a facsimile) to the range and practise shooting from this position.