Absolutely Striper Phil. Hopefully, you didn't take what I read to contradict that basic rule. I've had only one in my life that required a second shot, so I totally agree with you. I was glad, in that particular situation, that I had practiced chambering the second shell and getting back on target without just blazing away. Turns out the first shot was likely fatal (double lung), but the moose was trotting off into heavy brush and I put another one into the boiler room.

I wonder how many among us practice that simple act - shooting, chambering, getting back on target? I'll bet a lot of us just sit at the bench, get a good rest, shoot and then check where the shot went.

Plus, I've yet to shoot more than one animal with that careful and accurate first shot. Where I hunt whitetail, you can take two deer (actually more than that) with supplementary tags and party hunting is legal, so a double is something you want to be ready for. I still think it's a good idea to practice shooting in any situation you can think of that might show up in the field - all positons as well as second and third shots at second, yes even third, animals.

I even go so far as to practice shooting in cold weather, with the bulky clothes and gloves I *might* be using if it gets really cold. My practice paid off in that I was able to calmly and accurately make that second shot from a make-shift rest, without just blazing away, freezing cold, dressed like a blaze orange michelin man. Just like at the range!