Good Marksmanship and Accuracy

Know Your Accuracy Limits

Ethical hunters know their personal accuracy and limit their shots accordingly.

• An 8-inch paper plate is the standard target for establishing deer hunting accuracy. An 8-inch target is about the same size as the vital area of a deer. You need to be able to hit the paper plate consistently at the same distance and from the same shooting position you will be using when hunting. The fact that you can hit an 8-inch target at 100 yards from a bench rest does not mean you will be able to do the same from a standing or kneeling position.
• Before hunting, practice until you are confident you can hit the required target at the distances and from the shooting positions you expect to use in the field. When hunting, limit your shots to your most accurate range.

If you are color-blind, you should be especially cautious when hunting. You may not be able to distinguish the fluorescent orange clothing of other hunters nor the color markings that help identify game.