There is only 15 days until deer rifle season starts, and I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve heard someone missing the buck of a lifetime with a rifle.

Typically it’s a lack of preparation that causes those misses. Usually hunters get one shot with a rifle and being prepared for that one chance is the key to success.

For starters, too many hunters take the rifle for granted. I have been guilty of that myself many times over the years and yes, I have paid the price and missed that good buck.

Practice performs several valuable functions. First it makes you a better shot. It teaches you that the bullet is going to hit where the crosshair is at the time the rifle fires, not when you think you pulled the trigger and not where the crosshair was just before you jerked the trigger. It teaches you that the crosshair has to be in exactly the right spot. Just having the target in the field of view isn’t enough. All this boils down to concentration. You have to concentrate on holding the crosshair or sights precisely on the kill zone until the trigger is squeezed and the rifle fires. Don’t think about the size of the buck’s rack. Don’t think about the deer getting away. Just think about where the cross hair is and how much it is moving as you squeeze the trigger.

Choosing the right weapon and ammunition can make your hunt much more enjoyable, and can really boost your odds for success. When selecting a rifle, you should consider how it fits, the sights, how heavy it is, plus its action and caliber. A properly fitting gun will help you fire a more accurate shot. A stock that is too long will get you caught at your armpit if you’re wearing a thick jacket. If the stock is too short the scope may strike your eyebrow, giving what’s known as “scope bite.”

Choosing the right sight certainly can make a big difference. When hunting in heavy brush you must use short sights. You should buy a low power scope or peep sight that has a large aperture. Either one can be aimed quickly and very accurately. Variable power scopes within the ranges of 1.5 times to 7 times the power are ideal for this purpose.

When hunting whitetails, your cartridge should delivery at least 900 foot-pounds of energy at the point of impact for a clean kill. Medium caliber, high velocity cartridges are the best choice for deer hunting. The 30-06 Springfield, 308 Winchester, 270 Winchester, and 7mm Remington Magnum are ideal cartridges for making clean kills when used at optimum ranges.

Muskogee Gun Club has a good range for anyone interested in shooting their guns year-round. Membership dues are very affordable. It’s a place where one can get first-hand knowledge with other members on all forms of shooting skills. Families are encouraged to join as well. They also have sporting clays competitions and other NRA recognized shooting events. Anyone interested can contact Troy Keeter, club president, at 869-1193. Or check them out online at Muskogeegunclub.com.

Dan Chaffin’s column appears on Fridays. You can reach him with outdoor news, photos or comments at llc1@suddenlink.net.