The Basics of Marksmanship

Marksmanship is the ability to hit your target. It is important that a hunter be a good marksman for two major reasons.

1. The first reason is safety. If you have the ability to hit your target, you will be self-confident. When you know you can shoot accurately, you will not need to spend time thinking about how to shoot, but can concentrate instead on where to aim. You will have time to think. Is this shot safe? Is the path to and beyond the target clear?

2. The second reason is to make a clean kill. An accurate shot will kill quickly, cleanly and humanely. A good hunter practices marksmanship skills until his or her shots are consistently accurate, and studies animal anatomy to know where vital organs are located.