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THE RIFLE AND BIG GAME The shoulder is always taken by the experienced hunter whenever possible It is the object of this shot to break the shoulder joint and thus prevent the use of the fore legs It is a vital shot be ¬ cause the bullet has a good chance to pass either through the heart or lungs which will drop the animal in its tracks This is the most effective of all shots and as the hunter more often sights his game when it is running away the shoulder Shot is more used than any other The exact spot to aim at depends UIKIU the distance of the range and the rate of movement of the animal About four inches ahead of the fore leg joint is the best place to sight for forThe The front shot has for Its object a hit in the heart or lungs It is a useful shot and the bullet placed as designed has an enormous shocking power on the animal usually raking the entire vitals cutting through the heart arid lungs and often breaking the animals spine The point to aim for is just above the breastbone and it is safer to sight a trifle higher than this point rather than lower since in the latter case the bullet may strike the heavy breastbone and be deflected By aiming midway between the chin of the animal and the crotch of the fore legs the chances are favorable to strike the vital zone zoneThe The head shot is a brain shot arid is only used by the experienced hunter when it is difficult to land a shoulder or front shot As the brain is well up to the top of the head the best point to sight for is about halfway between the eyes and a shade higher than the center of these organs This shot Is most effective when the hunter Stands a trifle above the game or shoots when the game is charg ¬ ing head down If on a level aim just above the eyes and if close to the game land the bullet just below the eyes eyesThe The ear shot is taken at close quarters and the ixriht to sight for is the inside of the ear at its base In this and the head shot the chief thing for the hunter to do is to keep cool and keep in mind the position of the brain These are the best shots but there are many others as the neck shot rear or spine shots etc All these shots are uncertain because of the smaller area of the vital zones and the game is more likely to be only slightly wounded and rarely killed on the spot ex ¬ cepting by a lucky chance
