The deer settled as the rear legs bent and then it bounded into the air and, before I could reload, it had gained cover. My reaction-time was very fast on that shot, but my eyes were so accurately focused on the deer that I had failed to see an eight-inch hardwood tree trunk that was directly in the line of sight. Perhaps there is such a thing as too fast a reaction.



One thing that will partly nullify the effects of the reaction-time, at the instant of the trigger pull on running deer, is to swing with the target. This should be standard procedure on all moving targets.

While the ability to get off fast shots will enable a hunter to bag his game under difficult conditions, he should never be so fast that he fails to identify his target before the shot. Safety is more important than bagging a deer and it is never safe to shoot until an object has been positively identified. There is no necessity for fast shooting at standing deer, but some men who have trained themselves to this will find they miss some of the easy shots if they try to hold the sights on a motionless target for too long a time. This is caused by muscular tension which increases with time and unless the shooter has a rest for his gun, he should shoot as soon as his sights are in line with the target.

Deer hunting is one of the safest of sports in spite of the steadily rising number of shooting accidents. Swimming and boating are more dangerous pastimes but accidents to persons engaged in these sports do not seem to affect the public in the same manner as is the case with hunting accidents. There is something repugnant about the thought of one person killing or injuring another with a gun and this is lacking when the killing or injury is caused by more or less natural means or is the result of their own carelessness

Shooting accidents do happen, and, while they are not very numerous when compared to the number of hunters who are engaged in the sport, each accident causes a general reaction against the sport. Landowners post their land in an effort to protect their lives and property. Hunters stay out of the woods and congregate in open areas where their very presence may be the cause of a regrettable accident if a deer should appear among them. But, worst of all, if these accidents continue, public opinion will demand restrictive laws in an effort to prevent a condition that cannot be remedied as long as there is a human element involved.

There is no way to tell in advance what type of person might shoot another. Surveys do not reveal any definite pattern. The list of men who have accidentally shot others includes hunters of all ages and with all degrees of experience from the rankest amateur to the experienced guide. However, these shooting accidents can be divided into several categories and knowledge of the more dangerous practices might help in preventing future accidents.

There is no necessity for fast shooting at standing deer, but some men who have trained themselves to this will find they miss some of the easy shots if they try to hold the sights on a motionless target for too long a time.