Lesson 5 - Taking the Shot

Setting up Your Client for Success.

You spotted an animal that your Client would like to try for. You planned your stalk in such a manner that you are now in a good position to take a shot. Now what do you do? First of all, based on your gut feeling, do you think that the Client can make the shot from this distance? Maybe you have seen the Client shoot before. If you have, you will have a pretty good idea of their ability. Also, if you haven't seen them shoot, what is their confidence level? Do they feel that they can make the shot from this distance?

Usually you will have talked with them previously, and they will have told you what their comfort zone is for distance. Be for-warned here, many times they will tell you that they can shoot 300 yards well, when in reality, they shoot poorly from a 150 yards with a bench rest. On the other hand, I have some Clients that have hunted with me many times, and they are very proficient out to 400 yards. It just depends on the Client, and their particular skill level. I always try to make it a rule to never shoot over 300 yards, especially with a Client I don't know. Remember, we owe these animals a clean kill. We don't want to cause them any suffering with a poor shot.

Whatever the case, if both you and the Client feel like you are within their comfort zone for the distance, you will need to find a good place to shoot from where you can improvise a rest. This may be a bank of dirt, a rock, or simply a backpack to shoot over. If the Client does not feel good about the shot, don't let them take it, try to get closer. When they are about ready to shoot, you should ask them if they are steady and if it feels good and solid.

On close shots, say when you are down in a coulee, you should defer to the instruction in my book on Improvised Rests. Close shots seem to be the hardest for Clients.

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