Vital Shots

Every hunter wants to bring home the game he or she is seeking; true conservationists 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 quick, clean kill.

Where to Shoot

The most effective shots are delivered to an animal’s vital organs—heart, lungs, and liver. 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.