Proper Shot Placement

They say spending “quality time” together is necessary for a good relationship. “Quality time” is also required by all hunters in order to assure an ethical kill. A swift ethical kill is what every hunter should strive for. I have never met a hunter that doesn’t share that ideal. It is also the most humane way for hunters to fill the freezer.

Disagreements exist regarding mortality time between archers and gun hunters. Can both sides be right in believing that their method of taking animals is the most humane? I believe so. But it all depends on shot placement.

Proper shot placement is critical for a swift kill regardless of the method chosen to hunt. It doesn’t matter what you shoot, it takes time to hit exactly where you want to hit. Spending quality time practicing will help build confidence and this confidence will lead to increased success.

Learning to shoot more accurately takes time. Each year as deer season nears, gun ranges become busy places with hunters shooting their firearms. For many of them, this is their only time to test their marksmanship skills. But in my opinion it is not my idea of spending “quality time.”

Many bowhunters also find themselves flinging arrows at targets only weeks before the season. Many excuses exist that limit needed “quality time” for the shooter. Regardless, in order to become a better shot, practice (and lots of it) is needed.

Many professional hunting guides and outfitters believe that hunters show up lacking in shooting skills. In order to compensate for their inaccurate shooting ability, they choose large caliber firearms or heavy draw weight bows. Somehow this provides a false sense of confidence in hunters. You can’t make up for poor shooting by selecting a big rifle or a faster bow. It only magnifies the problem.

One-shot kills can be made on any big game animal. But the bullet or arrow needs to find the right spot.
Shooting is fun especially when you are not pressed for time. Practice is the time to totally familiarize yourself with your equipment and your capabilities. As hunters we should all invest the necessary “quality time” before heading to the field.

Keith Warren

Keith Warren is an icon in the outdoor television industry and a devoted conservationist. He has been producing and hosting television shows specifically geared to outdoorsmen since 1984 and has appeared on networks such as Outdoor Channel, VERSUS, ESPN, ESPN II, Sportsman’s Channel and Pursuit Channel.

Keith hosts two nationally broadcast television shows, The High Road with Keith Warren and Deer & Wildlife Stories with Keith Warren.

Keith is an exceptional big game hunter and expert marksman, shooting long guns and handguns as well as archery equipment and his marksmanship is evident in his hunting videos.

Keith is a Texas native who grew up in Dallas. As a young child he began hunting and fishing with his family. For more than 3 decades, he has worked tirelessly to help motivate more Americans enjoy the great outdoors. “When people are connected to nature, they make better choices,” says Warren. “People in the 21st century need to become better connected to nature and realize that we all share a responsibility to take care of our precious natural resources.”

Keith Warren was the recipient of countless awards. Here is a list of some of them. The 2003 Bass Pro Shops “Pass It On Award,” more than 3 dozen regional and national Awards from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers Association of America for Excellence in video production, the 1st place award from OWAA in 2003. He received more awards from the Texas Outdoor Writers Association than all other programs combined. Keith was nominated in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for Outdoor Channel’s Golden Moose Award in the “Fan Favorite” hunting and fishing categories. He was selected Best Show Host in 2007 and 2009 for Sportsman’s Channel. He has received over a dozen coveted Telly Awards. In addition, Keith was the recipient of the Hal Swiggett Award, which recognizes excellence in outdoor journalism and outstanding service to the sport of fair chase hunting.

Keith also earned the rank Eagle Scout at the young age of twelve years old and is one of the youngest ever to earn that rank.