Most of us have heard the old saying five shots in the wind. It refers to missing all five shots taken, likely under a high stress situation.
Deer hunters understand the stress or high level of excitement after their first close encounter. Many have a hard enough time making a good first shot, so you can forget about the next four. It never ceases to amaze me how many hunters out there empty their guns as fast as they can pull the trigger. I remember the first time I heard a rapid fire yahoo. I couldn't understand how someone would think it was a safe and effective way to shoot. I have never met one of these trigger-happy hunters, but if I did, these are the questions I would ask: What would possess a person to shoot this way? In their mind is there actually a right or wrong way to shoot? How often do you hit the animal with all five shots, and if you actually do what is left of the animal to eat? I'm going to do my best to channel the thoughts of rapid-fire Ralph, the deer hunter. This is in an attempt to rationalize why someone would shoot this way. I will also offer a few hints to the Ralphs of the world on how to make a one-shot kill.
It doesn't take a person long to realize that shooting a deer is a heck of a lot harder than punching a few holes in a target. Add to that the nerves and a possible uncomfortable shooting position, and hunting a live animal becomes nothing like target shooting. Even the most experienced shooter can have troubl making the first shot count under such conditions. After connecting on the first shot, nerves and the deer’s instinct to escape would most likely cause them to miss the following four. This leads me to believe that most Ralphs are inexperienced hunters. The remainder must be experts that enjoy burger.
Pray and spray is a common method used by military forces. The intention isn't to necessarily hit the target, but to intimidate and suppress enemy movements. This is much like the Ralphs out there, they do a lot of scaring but few hits are made. The deer hunter needs to be more like a sniper. The ability to make a one-shot kill is the goal of a sniper, and should also be what hunters strive for. In war, stray bullets of rapid fire may still hit an intended target, while under a hunting situation, shooting a person not being aimed at will have much different repercussions. It occurred to me that the rapid-fire guys out there believed the more lead in the air, the better a chance that you will hit something. This is true; there is a better chance something will be hit, but will it be your intended target?
When I took my hunter’s safety course, I don't remember anything being said about rapid-fire techniques. This is probably due to the fact that it is an ineffective shooting style that also happens to be dangerous. Only skilled marksmen that are confident in their abilities should ever attempt rapid shots on moving game. This level of skill can only be achieved through practice, preferably not on live animals. Having a gun is much like having a pair of skis – you can shoot a gun just as easily as you can put on a pair of skis. The reason you shouldn't shoot this way without practice is the same reason you shouldn't hit a triple black diamond trail your first ski run. Advanced trails and shooting techniques should only be attempted by those experienced enough to do so. Injury and death can be the repercussions to the layman.
To anyone out there that reads this column and happens to shoot this way, I have a challenge for you: Hold yourself to your effective shooting range and speed. This is done by placing targets at 25-yard intervals. Shoot a single shot at each target until you miss the implied kill zone. The last target hit is your maximum effective range. Then fire rapid successions starting at 25 yards. Most will find that at 25 yards, they are unable to keep all five shots on target. This is due to what is called muzzle climb. The weapon's recoil causes the shooter to shoot higher after each shot. Unless time is taken to recover and reacquire the target, you may be shooting several feet over the target by the fifth shot. Keep in mind that these are stationary targets, now try the same on moving targets. There are guys out there that can easily shoot running game, just know you can do it before you try on a living creature.
To shoot more than once at an animal is a waste of ammunition and meat in my mind. Your first shot is your best shot, so make it count. Good wishes and strive for a one-shot kill.