How to Shoot a Deer

Taking a shot at a deer is the final element of completing a successful hunting trip, but it's also the most difficult. You must remember to practice the fundamentals of marksmanship while exercising a savvy sense of woodsmanship to ensure you take your shot in a proper and timely fashion.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Wait until the deer steps into a clearing before trying to take a shot. Rushing a hunting shot when the deer is still obscured can lead to ricochets and the possibility of striking an unintended target.
2. Raise your firearm to the proper firing position as soon as you can without startling the deer. Having yourself in position early allows you to make last second adjustments that might otherwise be rushed.
3. Take aim when the deer is stopped if possible. While this is the ideal shooting scenario, often you may have to simply do the best with the situation.
4. Aim low and behind the shoulder for a clean hunting shot. This area houses both the heart and lungs of the deer and is far more likely to result in an immediate drop.
5. Hold at the base of the neck if the deer is directly facing you. Given this angle, this is the best way to reach the deer's vital organs.
6. Allow 15 to 20 minutes before tracking if the deer runs after you have taken the shot. Rushing a pursuit only prolongs the distance the deer will flee and increases the chance of a lost kill.