Forums46
Topics537,007
Posts9,719,383
Members86,987
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Practice
#5960302
10/04/15 06:27 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942 |
About 35% of my Dove hunters are pretty decent shots. The other 65% are lucky to average 2-3 birds per box. I've been telling them for years to go shoot at least a couple of rounds of clays before they come, but most never do. I had 2 guys here this weekend that shot 16 boxes of shells and killed 32 birds. I guess I don't understand why these guys don't seem to want to become better shots. I was having trouble this year and spent 10 minutes and 1 box of shells with an instructor and he saw my problem right off. I adjusted my shooting with crossing clays and was busting 2 out of 3. Do yourself a favor guys, if your having trouble, ask for help. It'll make your hunting more enjoyable.
Last edited by Stompy; 10/04/15 06:28 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960335
10/04/15 07:01 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,928
FowlDreams
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,928 |
I think some guys just like pulling the trigger on birds but not clays. 16 boxes lol. I take 2 boxes with me. If I can't kill 15 with 50 shots I'm not going to stay out there and just waste them
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960359
10/04/15 07:15 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,268
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,268 |
You'd figure by the time they went through a couple boxes they'd figure it out.
I've shot a limit this year with less than a box and I've also shot a limit with 2+ boxes. I probably average 1.5
My shooting varies day to day. Wind speed and direction are also a big factor.
I don't normally shoot clays before the season but if I was only going to get a hand full of hunts in I would definitely get in a little pre season practice.
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960371
10/04/15 07:24 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
I've never shot at a clay in my life.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Fooshman]
#5960382
10/04/15 07:30 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942 |
I've never shot at a clay in my life. Well, maybe your a good shot. I'm talking about the guys that struggle.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960444
10/04/15 08:13 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,315
Slimpickin
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,315 |
The hardest shot for me is the ones that fly up behind you. By the time you see'um their almost out of range and moving. When I have a quick shot like those, i don't follow through. The few that came across or from the front were not an issue.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960458
10/04/15 08:20 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942 |
As fast as they were moving yesterday afternoon , everyone struggled with that shot. Chris you're a good shot, you just had a bit of an off day yesterday under tough condition.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960520
10/04/15 09:12 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
Most guys i have seen in the field pick up their guns and move like a pinata way too early, that will make shots 55 yards instead of inside 20. They will shoot and miss, without swinging their guns, thats another thing.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Slimpickin]
#5960523
10/04/15 09:14 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
The hardest shot for me is the ones that fly up behind you. By the time you see'um their almost out of range and moving. When I have a quick shot like those, i don't follow through. The few that came across or from the front were not an issue. The ones passing behind you, let them pass and shoot 1 ft below them. U will hit them.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: beaversnipe]
#5960551
10/04/15 09:29 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 413
texassippi
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 413 |
Most guys i have seen in the field pick up their guns and move like a pinata way too early, that will make shots 55 yards instead of inside 20. They will shoot and miss, without swinging their guns, thats another thing. Yep.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960634
10/04/15 10:22 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
I think my worst shot is them scooting away from me at a slight angle and shooting at their butts.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Fooshman]
#5960668
10/04/15 10:46 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,252
bobcat1
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,252 |
I think my worst shot is them scooting away from me at a slight angle and shooting at their butts. That's a favorite for me. Grew up quail hunting. Coming right at me I hate because the always cut a dido one way or the other and I choose wrong.
Bobby Barnett
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960697
10/04/15 11:08 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037 |
About 35% of my Dove hunters are pretty decent shots. The other 65% are lucky to average 2-3 birds per box. I've been telling them for years to go shoot at least a couple of rounds of clays before they come, but most never do. I had 2 guys here this weekend that shot 16 boxes of shells and killed 32 birds. I guess I don't understand why these guys don't seem to want to become better shots. I was having trouble this year and spent 10 minutes and 1 box of shells with an instructor and he saw my problem right off. I adjusted my shooting with crossing clays and was busting 2 out of 3. Do yourself a favor guys, if your having trouble, ask for help. It'll make your hunting more enjoyable. Practice won't help those numbers. Need instruction. Numbers will go up huge. How many good golfers never take lessons?
Take a kid Huntin
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Fooshman]
#5960702
10/04/15 11:11 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037 |
I think my worst shot is them scooting away from me at a slight angle and shooting at their butts. Your heads off gun or not blacking bird out w barrel. Overhead- gotta lead separate and keep moving barrel. Wasn't very good at that shot until started shooting clays
Take a kid Huntin
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Greekangler]
#5960711
10/04/15 11:14 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942 |
I think my worst shot is them scooting away from me at a slight angle and shooting at their butts. Wasn't very good at that shot until started shooting clays Did you receive instruction?
Last edited by Stompy; 10/04/15 11:14 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960886
10/05/15 12:43 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,550
kyotee1
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,550 |
I missed a lot duck hunting until I was on a skeet team and got some real good instruction why I was missing so much. The only thing I was doing was trying to shoot a shotgun like a rifle with one eye closed. When I started shooting with both eyes open, my hit ratio increased dramatically. I now shoot a 410 O/U and hit just as good or better than when I shot my 1100.
Opening weekend, 15 doves w/22 shells
But I did learn how to shoot well shooting competitively.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5960988
10/05/15 01:19 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 471
JEmberson
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 471 |
Gun mount, pulling head off of stock on overhead shots and not keeping the gun moving are all bad habits people pick up. I was always told the four "B"s... Butt,beak,break-away,BANG! Choosing a shot early and tracking it's flight line helps hugely, you'll find yourself automatically picking the right lead for different birds. Not keeping good habits and not practicing is the main problem. That and guys that shoot rifles mostly have a tendency to "aim" a shotgun.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5961051
10/05/15 01:41 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942 |
Instructor help me a lot. I was getting real frustrated because I've never had a problem with a shotgun before. I wasn't the best shot but could hold my own. This year I had cataract surgery on my shooting eye and I lost 30lbs. Instructor said I was doing everything right but shooting high. Got my head down a little more and aimed a little lower. Fixed me right up.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5961092
10/05/15 01:56 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,418
BDB
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,418 |
I really have no idea what these shooting techniques you guys are speaking of. I shoot instinctively and average around 35-40 shells per 15 dove. Sometimes i get that limit with 20-25 shells and sometimes.....well thats why the average is 35-40. That shot someone said above about the bird coming from behind you? Thats the easiest shot for me. I have no idea what my lead is but I must leading them. I have no idea if I'm following thru but I must be. I do practice mounting my gun the same way but I never shoot clays before the season. Now.....NOW, that dam bird that you see waaaaaaay out there heading right fer ya. Thats the the bird that I waste 3 shells on and wave good by as I cuss myself. I have to almost looks away and act like I just saw him when he's on me and try to shoot instinctive.
I'm at 120 birds for the year on 8 hunts and hope to add 30 more before I give up the shotgun till duck season starts.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5961095
10/05/15 01:57 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 471
JEmberson
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 471 |
I struggled on ducks. Could shoot driven pheasants fine, but when it came to ducks, I'd miss all day. Same gun but couldn't work it out. Wearing all my duck hunting gear was causing my gun fit to be off and making me shoot high. Getting your head down is a big part of it. Glad you got it sorted. I nearly gave up hunting entirely because I shot a box of shells for one bird one day!
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5961131
10/05/15 02:08 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,711
STXHO
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,711 |
"Shoot Where You Look" Google It.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5961201
10/05/15 02:36 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,160
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
|
#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,160 |
For some it has nothing to do with the killing as much as it does the hunt. If the guys that shot 16 boxes had fun then good on them...
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Judd]
#5961216
10/05/15 02:41 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942
Stompy
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
|
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,942 |
For some it has nothing to do with the killing as much as it does the hunt. If the guys that shot 16 boxes had fun then good on them... Absolutely, they had a blast. I guess it bugs me more than them.
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5961223
10/05/15 02:45 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,471
4Weight
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,471 |
For some it has nothing to do with the killing as much as it does the hunt. If the guys that shot 16 boxes had fun then good on them... Absolutely, they had a blast. I guess it bugs me more than them. I'm with the both of you, it's not about killing its about having fun. But....if it took me 8 boxes to kill 16 birds, I would either practice or quit:)
|
|
|
Re: Practice
[Re: Stompy]
#5962680
10/05/15 11:45 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,037 |
I think my worst shot is them scooting away from me at a slight angle and shooting at their butts. Wasn't very good at that shot until started shooting clays Did you receive instruction? Took 4 lessons years ago- South America every year for the last 10+ yrs hasn't hurt either. As you know, if you miss and don't know we're you are missing, pretty hard to correct. Repetition and mental pic of shots is what the experts say- Not sure if you were serious or sarcastic..hard to tell on THF
Take a kid Huntin
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|