Know Your Firearms Range
Not only should you know the effective range of your firearm and ammunition for an ethical and responsible kill of your game, you should also know the farthest distance at which your firearm’s projectile could cause injury or damage to a person, animal or property.
Practice estimating distances and verifying with a range finder to improve your ability to estimate distances and ensure safety within your equipment's range.
You should never shoot at an animal where the backstop is unknown or undetermined, such as a skylined animal. You need to know what you might hit if your shot misses your game or if it passes through intact.
When verifying your backdrop, don’t forget to look at what is between you and your game. Do not shoot through obstacles or past other hunters. Be aware of the trajectory of your shot.