I forgot about another tough shot I had hunting. A couple I got to know back in the 70's helped me train my first beagle. They offered to take me grouse hunting with their bird dog. I think it was a wire haired griffon? I remember watching the dog quartering, I remember him going on point, Bob directed me to an area to the right of the dog, Bob walked in towards the dog and several grouse flushed, maybe 5 or 6 if I remember correctly. My first wife had just gotten me a browning over/under 20 gauge for my birthday, and this was my first hunt with that new shotgun. I aimed at a grouse, took my shot, 2 grouse fell, the dog went and retrieved both of them. Bob was standing there with his mouth wide open, his wife Patti was just smiling. I tried to act like it was no big deal
the next shot I took was one of my toughest shots ever.