16.4 Shot Angles

Head-On Shots

• A head-on shot can be effective if your firearm is already positioned for the shot. However, these shots rarely result in a clean kill and ruin a lot of meat.

Quartering-Away Shots

• The quartering-away shot angle is when your target is facing away from you, but at an angle. From this 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.

Broadside Shots

• Because of their mass, the preferred shot angle for larger game animals, such as elk and bear, is broadside. It’s also the most effective shot angle for deer, antelope, and similar-sized game.

Quartering-Toward Shots

• The quartering-toward shot angle is when your target is facing toward you, but at an angle. A deer or other game quartering toward you presents a clear shot to the vital organs. A firearm shot can be taken at this angle if the gun is already trained on the animal.

Rear-End Shots

• Not recommended—rarely results in a clean kill.