Ethical Shots
After having identified a target as a safe and legal shot, hunters must then ask themselves whether or not the shot is an ethical one.
For example, there are no game laws against shooting at a running deer, though proper shot placement is extremely difficult on a fast-moving target. Should you take the shot?
Bow hunters will often use treestands to give them an added advantage. Since they are out of sight, animals tend to come a lot closer to the stand. If a deer is directly underneath the stand, hitting the vital areas is almost impossible. Should the hunter take the shot?
Many sportsmen and women believe it is unethical to shoot at a quail or grouse when the animal is on the ground, because this violates the rules of fair chase. If you are upland game hunting and sneak up on a quail on the ground, would you shoot?
Hunters often need to make split-second decisions on a target - if there is any doubt on whether the shot is safe, legal or ethical, then you should not take the shot.
