What does the term "windage" refer to in shooting?

Windage refers specifically to the adjustments made to account for the effects of wind on a projectile's trajectory. In shooting, as a bullet travels toward the target, it is influenced by the wind, which can cause it to drift off course. Windage adjustments are necessary to ensure that the aim is true and that the bullet hits the intended target despite these external atmospheric factors.

When a shooter takes wind into consideration, they are modifying their aim or point of impact to counterbalance the wind’s influence. This might involve aiming to the left or right depending on the wind's direction and speed. Such adjustments are critical in long-range shooting scenarios where wind can significantly affect the bullet's flight path due to its drag and the time it takes to reach the target.

Other options describe different concepts in shooting. For example, aiming towards the target refers to the initial positioning of the shooter’s line of sight. Bullet drop adjustment deals with elevation changes, not lateral drift due to wind, and measuring distance to the target is part of determining range but does not directly relate to wind effects. Therefore, understanding and applying windage is essential for accuracy in shooting, making it the correct choice in this context.