Today I came across an article on http://www.rjrenner.blogspot.com/ .  It is a very thoughtful treatise on shot placement and endeavoring to inflict a one shot, clean kill.  I am including some excerpt here:

Placement of the shot

…it is in the interest of good Sportsmanship, and yes, even our own Moral Duty, that we take every advantage to ascertain that the First Shot exacts a Killing Blow upon the game. It is, unfortunately, all too common that we hear hunters who, in their attempts to impress others with the tales of their prowess, describe “the chase” of wounded game in which they boldly follow up the beast and proceed to kill it off, blow by blow in a cruel sort of cat and mouse chase. This practice is despicable and is nothing more than callused and blatant brutality.

It is difficult to imagine that any gentleman with any degree of honour and respect for the wondrous miracle of Nature’s gift of Life in all its various forms would brashly relate such tales which betray his lack of good judgment, or of having poor nerves, and such poor marksmanship that would result in less than a quick and humane dispatch of the game. Or, of worse consequence, that the animal, once shot, completely eludes the hunter to live in excruciating agony for hours or days until the mercy of death finally overtakes it. Those subscribing to such reckless methods of shooting are simply barbaric and have neither honour nor place among the ranks of gentlemen.

Now, while it is true that we may be able to exact a “hit” on game at the extremes of distance, the guarantee of just a “hit” disabling the game – on the spot – is, indeed, very slight. Such foolhardy shooting results in a long and arduous chase that deprives the game of its right to a quick, peaceful and dare we suggest a humane death.We simply cannot tolerate those who derive some twisted pleasure from inflicting undue suffering and death upon lesser life forms without very sound reason. Even the most primitive of history’s peoples understood the precious value of life and as evidenced by their offered blessings of thankfulness to the spirits of those animals they took from Nature.

As Sportsmen and Gentlemen, it is within our charge to strive for a clean killing shot, whether the need be to fill the larder or to rid ourselves of destructive animals, the latter which themselves but follow the instincts imposed upon them by Nature. As the Stewards of Nature it is within our charge to use – but not to abuse.

We ask who among us is of such destitute means that he would take the lesser aim and chance losing the whole animal and good standing among us for the sake of a few pounds of meat.

It is our contention that we must remind one another, in good faith and gentlemanly manner, of the Creed of Sportsmanship and the Code of Fair Chase lest we find greater disfavour among those who would have us more regulated according to their own profound ignorance.

I have always felt an affinity for the wildlife on this planet.  I have too often been disgusted by people who kill Blue Jays or Pine squirrels just because they are there and they scold you for being in their forest.  Wanton waste is a crime against Nature itself.  A quick, clean, humane kill is my goal when hunting.  Please, make it yours.