Every hunter wants to bring home the game he or she is seeking; true sportsmen strive to do it by inflicting a minimal amount of suffering. To achieve these twin goals, it’s essential that you understand the anatomy of the game you’re after and learn how to place a shot for a clean kill.

The most effective shots are delivered to an animal’s vital organs—heart and lungs. In large game animals, these organs lie in the chest cavity behind the front shoulder. A lung shot is the most effective shot for big game.

The area of the vital organs also contains major blood vessels and arteries. A shot in this area causes considerable bleeding. If the animal doesn’t die immediately and tries to flee, it will leave a blood trail that’s easy to track.

Aside from being a good marksman, the key to a quick, clean kill is patience. Hunters should limit shots to the vital organs only.

• If you do not have clear shot to the vital organs, wait until the animal presents the best possible shot.
• It is OK to let an opportunity pass. Patience in waiting for the clear shot does not always pay off with an ethical shot opportunity.
• When a hunter is never presented with a clear shot to the vital organs, he or she should let the game pass.