Kill zone on real birds not targets

[PBJ]

I shoot a CFX and two Hunter 440s, all have CDT tunes. I have all the usual pellets including Predators and find that if I take a frontal or head shot on a bird, it goes down right now and that is it. When I take the classic "black dot" on the wing shot, most of the birds drop some feathers on the way out but do not fall to the ground. I find lots of them later but not at the point where hit. Where are you all aiming for sure kills and do you find that the through the wing shot fails very often? I intend to hunt quail next season and do not want any cripples getting away. Thanks for the replies!!!

[JMG]

For the cowbirds in the yard I have been shooting at.. for some reason I like full front or full back shots. As for side shots I dont really like taking those because as you have said I usually wing them and they fly off which makes me feel like crap. SO I wait for a full frontal target and aim for the chest or a full back shot and aim for the same place. In doing so my kills have been instant and that makes me feel good. And I have learned some patience as far as the shot goes.. if I dont have the front or back shot I just shoot at my pellet trap :).

John

[SDale]

Are you talking about shooting birds while in flight? If so, I usually take aim for the head (or close to it). Most shots usually end up impacting in the neck area (if they even hit at all). A 410 gauge shotgun works better though.

When they're just on the ground or in trees, I shoot for the neck. Breaks the bones nearly every time and they drop like rocks. A Frontal or Quartering Chest Shot is also good.

Depending on what kind of bird it is, I wouldn't go for wing shots at all. The wing feathers of ANY bird are fairly tough. Depending on the distance &  angle of impact, the pellet can actually bounce off and only break the wing or knock the wind out of the bird.

[Big_Bill]

Hay Bob,

In my experienceat shootin birds, I have found that you only have half of the target that you are shooting at. Most of what you see is feathers, and if you place your shot in the front half center of the bird, you will most often take them clean.

In all my hunting, I have found that hunters shooting for a spot or point on the animal, are far more successful than hunters that shoot at the animal. When you ask them where they were aiming, they reply at the heart and lungs, but of those found are hit center in the stomach area.

I have seen experienced hunters fire into the ground, and swore they had the deer in there sights, another adrenaline driven problem of some hunters.

[longislandhunter]

Hey Bob,
     I also like to wait for a frontal shot on birds if I can get it.  A good clear shot at the breast will take em down every time.  Like the others have said, a wing shot may take em down, but it will often result in a puff of feathers and a wounded bird flying off to die somewhere else.  

Of course there are variables that need to be taken into account also.  The distance to the target, the power of the rifle being used, the pellet type and of course the type of bird being targeted.  But variables aside I still like to wait for that clear breast shot.  

Jeff

[shadow]

I agree with the fella's, those wing's beleive it or not kinda act like a flack vest. They deflect  some and don't give a clean hit. Head or chest, nice and direct. Ed

[PBJ]

Thanks for all your input. I was wondering if I was the only one who was having trouble with one shot kills if it was not a front on hit. I will give up on all the shots that are not perfect opportunites , I don't shoot many birds to begin with and mostly hunt rabbits and squirrels.