Chapter 6: Basic Hunting Techniques
Vital Shots (continued)

Broadside

The broadside shot angle is the preferred shot angle for both firearm and bow hunters for larger game animals, such as elk, deer, and bear.

• Firearm: The broadside position offers several excellent shots for a firearm hunter. The best target is the shoulder and chest area. The correct firearm and ammunition combination for the game you are hunting will break the shoulder bone and enter the lungs or heart.
• Bow: The broadside angle offers the best shot for the largest big game animals, such as elk, deer, and bear. For most big game, you should aim for the area just behind the front shoulder, about one-third of the way up from the bottom of the chest. An arrow will penetrate the ribs but not the shoulder bone; so wait until the near leg is forward, and aim behind the shoulder.

Quartering-Away

The quartering-away shot angle is when your target is facing away from you, but at an angle. The animal is usually looking away from you.

• Firearm: For firearm hunters, the area just behind the shoulder is the best aiming spot for direct penetration of the vital organs. Focus on hitting the chest area above the opposite front leg.
• Bow: The quartering-away shot angle offers a good opportunity for a clean kill on antelope, white-tailed deer, mule deer, black bear, and other big game of similar size or smaller. This is not a good shot for bowhunters on larger game because their massive stomachs and intestines will block a clean shot to the lungs or heart. The opposite front leg is a good reference point for aiming.

Quartering-Toward

The quartering-toward shot angle is when the animal is facing toward you, but at an angle. Since the animal will be looking in your direction, it most likely will spot your movements.

• Firearm: The quartering-toward angle presents a clean shot to the vital organs. A shot can be taken at this angle if the gun is already pointed at the animal. For an effective hit, aim at the front of the shoulder of the near front leg. Caution: A smaller caliber bullet may deflect off the shoulder bones of large game, such as elk, deer, or large bears. Be certain to use a firearm and ammunition powerful enough for the game you hunt and the angle of shot you might select.
• Bow: This angle offers a poor shot opportunity and should not be taken. Heavy shoulder bones shield the majority of vital organs from broadhead-tipped arrow penetration. Also, bowhunters should never fire an arrow at an animal that is looking at them.

Head-On

The animal will certainly detect your movements with a head-on shot angle.

• Firearm: A head-on shot can be effective if you have an adequate firearm and your firearm is already positioned for the shot. However, head-on shots rarely result in a clean kill and ruin a lot of meat. Shots at this angle rarely strike the game's vital organs or major blood vessels. It is highly recommended that you wait for a better shot. Aim at the center of the chest to hit the vital organs.
• Bow: These angles offer very poor shot selection and should not be taken. Heavy bones in front and muscle mass and non-vital organs in back block penetration of the main vital areas.

Rear-End

The rear-end shot should not be taken by hunters using firearms or bows.