Hunting
1. Practice on the range to become used to your rifle/scope combination and getting at least MOA groups to instill confidence.
2. Make sure that you can stalk quietly and use available features to get as close as you can - better chance of success at shorter ranges.
3. Use shooting sticks to enhance your chances of a lethal shot.

SD
1. Shoot often with your SD weapon so that it feels like an extension of your arm.
2. Be in Code Orange when out of your home and expect that something can go wrong.

I cannot speak for hunting, but I do think that one can be more proficient with weapon but never actually more prepared for personal attack.

How does one prepare for this?

I don't hunt, but the best preparation for hunting is hunting in the first place.

For SD, the preparation is mental. You have to have your mind made up. There is no time for decision-making when under direct threat.

Having seen a lot of people at ranges preparing for hunting season shooting exclusively from a bench with a dedicated rest and having had the same people gawping and remarking on my shooting offhand or from a seated position on the ground I'd say that doing a bit of field position shooting wouldn't be bad for hunting prep. Having said that I have the distinct impression that much if not most 'hunting' is now nothing more than shooting animals from a rest while seated on the back of a bakkie so probably not releveant.

For SD I echo big5ifty's mental switch setting recommendation and Tripodmvr's muscle memory/familiarization and situational awareness advice.

A great many people who carry guns are not actually very familiar with their operation & deployment, haven't committed to nor made peace with killing people that need it and are blissfully ignorant of what's going on around them.     

Ds, I have always wanted to talk to a man of the cloth about this.
Have you had to deal with or guide someone who has had to be in the unfortunate position to shoot someone?

I know there are beliefs in many religions,  and Christian dominations where it is not justified to  take life, no matter what. That it is better to die without killing than to survive and kill.

What are your thoughts around this?

Ds, I have always wanted to talk to a man of the cloth about this.
Have you had to deal with or guide someone who has had to be in the unfortunate position to shoot someone?

I know there are beliefs in many religions,  and Christian dominations where it is not justified to  take life, no matter what. That it is better to die without killing than to survive and kill.

What are your thoughts around this?

Hi zguy, I am very much open for discussion, but let us please await a go-ahead from the moderators?

In the meantime, Ill PM you a few thoughts and ideas.

Hi zguy, I am very much open for discussion, but let us please await a go-ahead from the moderators?

In the meantime, Ill PM you a few thoughts and ideas.

I do not foresee any undesirable outcome to your responding to the request Ds J.
Please do share your insights as a man of the cloth.

  ;D  ;D  I see I was once again censored. Seems I successfully offend even when not drinking, Eish ! The ways of the world.
That said, how else does one say what I wanted to say ?

Since my take on self defence is not allowed, let me say this. Preparing for hunting is easier, you practice at a range in all foreseeable positions and distances. You make it as real as you can and as difficult as you can in practice. Making it difficult means that you shoot in all manner and position that you can, but not from a bench rest. Bench rest is for target shooting.
When you think you ready, you go try your skills for real with a back up hunter to save your prey from suffering anymore than the minimum.