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Everyone has heard this but it needs to be said over and over. "Keep your head down and follow through". If you feel your check bone hard on the stock you are on the right track. To follow through try inserting the muzzle on the bird then pulling through it. Lead then varies from the birds head to several feet in front depending on distance and flight speed. By starting on the bird and moving in front you ensure your muzzle is moving faster than the bird. A decelerating muzzle (backing into the bird) or a stationary (dead) gun will only profit shell manufacturers.
- Jason Caswell |
To wink or not to wink? There's no question. Although there are many successful hunters that close one eye while shooting, shooting with both eyes completely open is definitely preferred. There's a lot of instinct in shotgunning regardless of how fast you shoot. By shutting one eye you instantly are aiming your shotgun. 'Tracking', or measuring lead can result in backing into birds (see tip #1). Second, it is crucial that you see and focus on your target before you point your gun at it. This is pretty simple on the first bird but when you are shooting doubles and triples, shooting with one eye can result in your barrel searching for targets. Use both eyes to locate and lock on the next target then the gun will follow automatically.
- Jason Caswell |
When mounting your gun, practice bringing your gun up to your face and not to your shoulder. It is optimal to have to drop your head down to your gun. Try scrunching your shoulders a little as you lift your gun. Best scenerio is for your stock to hit your cheek bone the moment it slides into your shoulder pocket.
- Jason Caswell |
Remember Clint Eastwood in the movie 'Unforgiven'? Take Your Time. Mount your gun as slow as you need to in order to get it up to your face perfectly every time. No one can shoot consistently with the gun tangled in their hunting coat about 6 inches to low or with a call in between the pad and their shoulder. When Shooting Olympic skeet I repeat to myself "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" Stay SMOOTH and you will be the first one to drop a bird when the shot is called.
- Jason Caswell |
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