What is a key factor, aside from marksmanship, necessary for making a clean kill?

The key factor necessary for making a clean kill, aside from marksmanship, is patience. Taking the time to wait for the right moment to shoot allows the hunter to ensure they have a clear and unobstructed shot at vital areas of the animal. This reduces the chances of wounding the animal and not being able to retrieve it.

Patience helps hunters observe an animal's behavior and movements, allowing them to make more informed decisions about when to shoot, rather than rushing the shot and risking a poor hit. Additionally, being patient can mean waiting for the right angle, distance, and timing, all of which increase the likelihood of a quick, humane kill.

Other choices might involve important aspects of hunting, such as precision, which is indeed vital for accuracy, or stealth, which aids in approaching the animal effectively. However, without patience to wait for those optimal conditions, even skilled marksmen may not achieve a clean kill.