Types of Shots

The shot angle is the angle at which the animal is standing in relation to the hunter. Knowing which angles offer the most effective—and least effective—shots is an essential part of being a responsible hunter.

Quartering-Away Shots

• The quartering-away shot is when your target is facing away from you, but at an angle. It's an effective shot on deer, antelope, and similar-sized game. From that angle, a shot aimed at vital organs may miss the rib cage entirely. There's also less tissue to pass through before penetrating vital organs.
• Rifle hunters should use the chest area above the opposite front leg as the aiming point for a lung shot.
• Bowhunters using cutting point broadheads for this type of shot are less likely to encounter heavy bone and thus increase their chances of hitting a vital organ.

Broadside Shots

• Because of their mass, the preferred shot for larger game animals, such as elk, deer, and bear, is broadside.
• This is particularly true for bowhunters. Large animals have bigger stomachs and intestines, which may stop an arrow before it reaches vital organs in a quartering-away shot.

The most effective shotgun shot for a turkey is to the neck and head. However, bowhunters should aim broadside for the heart and lungs or at the butt of the wings.

The preferred shot for larger game animals, such as elk, deer, and bear, is broadside.

Straight-On-Shots

• A straight-on shot can be effective if your firearm is already positioned for the shot. However, they rarely result in a clean kill and ruin a lot of meat.
• For large game, aim for the chest or neck.
• This shot should not be taken by bowhunters because of the reduced chance of hitting a vital organ.

Quartering-Forward Shots

• The quartering-forward shot is when your target is facing toward you, but at an angle. A deer or other game that is quartering toward you presents a clear shot to the vital organs. A rifle shot can be taken at this angle if the gun is already trained on the animal.
• Rifle hunters should use the chest area above the near front leg as the aiming point for a lung shot.
• Bowhunters should avoid this shot because the vital areas are protected by bone. Also, an arrow should not be fired at an animal that is looking at you.

It's difficult to hit a vital area on an animal that is running or moving straight away from you. Rather than risk crippling the animal or ruining meat, wait for a better shot.