7 Tips To Better Wing Shooting

Your Shotgun Has To Fit - When shouldering a shotgun it should come right up for you, without catching in your armpit. Next, be sure your shotgun is pointing where your eyes are looking. To check this pick an object out and shoulder the gun with both eyes open. Now look down the barrel, is it pointing at the object you pick out? If the shotgun fits you it will be right on target. If not bring the gun to gunsmith and he will be able to adjust the gun to fit your body.

Keep Both Eyes Open – When shooting with both eyes open a shooter will be able to get on target much faster than with one eye closed. The second benefit is you will be less prone to aiming, most often caused by closing one eye as in shooting a rifle. The big problem with aiming a shotgun when wing shooting is that it slows your swing. Meaning you will be more apt to shoot behind a moving target with one eye closed.

Don’t Rush Your Shot - Many hunters will rush their shots because they think they have to shoot fast before the birds flare out of range. Truth is, when hunters wait that extra second or two there’s still plenty of time to take three good shots before the birds get too far away. Remember two shots and two hits are just as good as three shots and only two hits. Another tip is don’t be competing with your hunting partners. Just take your time.

Practice In The Off Season - Far too many hunters put their shotguns away during the off-season. So when it comes to opening day their not always on target. During the summer take the time to shoot trap, skeet, or sporting clays. Just meeting some friends to shoot clay birds can be a lot of fun and still very beneficial. A good dove hunt is a great way to get some real practice and with liberal bag limits shooters get to practice these shots repeatedly.

Pick Out A Single Bird – Ever heard of the term flock shooting. Many hunters will get a little to excited when flushing a flock birds and just shoot in the middle of them. Thus most likely a miss will occur. Slow down, pick a single bird, and stay on it.

Don’t Stop Your Swing – Not following through a shot is probably the most common reasons for missing ducks and geese. Most often occurs when shooter are aiming their shotgun. When shouldering your shot gun start behind the target, and follow through you swing. It is very important not to stop your swing once pulling the trigger.

Don’t Handicap Yourself – Far to many hunters screw in a choke tube at the beginning of season and never change it according to the conditions their hunting. If the birds are flushing close, or the ducks are coming in all the way to your decoy setup why shoot a tighter pattern than needed? Change out your choke to a more open pattern such as improved cylinder. If your shots are longer than go with an improved modified or full choke.