Maximum Effective Range (cont.)

Maximum Effective Range

Making Clean Kills in the Field

Also there is the fatigue factor, in the woods your heart is likely to be pounding from the hike. Not to mention, my adrenaline starts to rush at the first sight of a deer or other wild game and that makes the heart thump even more. The fatigue from hiking up a hill and adrenaline rush will affect how well you shoot.

Aiming error also depends on the hunter's shooting position, the type gun he brought along on the hunt and the type of sights the hunter has chosen. The hunter's physical condition is also a major factor in shooting errors while hunting. The range of variables differ with each shot, but there is a way that you can get a idea of how big there error is and what the Maximum Effective Range (MER) is. When at practice on the shooting range, or where ever you may practice, use a target that reflects the lethal range of the deer or whatever wild game you will be hunting. And see how far away you can shoot and still successfully hit the target.

Set the target at a random range, maybe a hundred yards and see if you hit it, and how many times you can accurately hit the target. Practice shooting the way you'd probably have to shoot while hunting. If you won't be able to use a rest while hunting, practicing with a rest does very little to help your shooting while hunting, so ditch it until you are sighting your gun. Or if you hunt from a blind use a rest that reflects the rest used while hunting. If you can hit the target nine out of ten times, you're doing well, that's what you want to aim for. Some hunters try for three out of three, both are reasonable goals.

If you are going to be hunting with open sights from an unrested position, then obviously your Maximum Effective Range (MER) is going to be much shorter. 50 yards is likely to be the best you can shoot for. But if hunting in brush and heavy cover, you won't be seeing any wild game beyond fifty yards anyway, and a Maximum Effective Range (MER) of fifty yards is fine.

In either case, with scope or open sights, you can either pass up shoots at deer and other wild game due to poor hit probability. Or you can simulate the conditions found in the field at the shooting range, or where ever you practice your shooting. With the latter you will increase your Maximum Effective Range (MER). Thus increasing your odds of bringing home a trophy deer or some other wild game, and decressing the odds of missed or wounded game.