You Want To Hear a Secret?

     You want to hear a secret? I have uncovered the secret to successful wingshooting. Really, I have. Do you want to shoot more grouse, or pheasant, or ducks, or whatever, this fall? I know I do. So how is that done? Was is the secret? Well it's been staring you right in the face for a long time, and it's a pretty easy solution, really. Practice. Yup, that's right. Practice. Get out your trusty shotgun and practice.

     To be fair, it's not quite as simple as just going to a club and shooting some skeet or trap, but it's not that far off. The key is to practice like you play. Wingshooting in wolves quite a lot of dynamic, coordinated movements. A simple round of regulation skeet or trap will help to some extent, but lacks most of the additional movements that must be coordinated. So how does one add a bit of dynamics to their clay shooting? Like I said, practice like you play. Do you walk in to a bird flush, or sit is a duck blind with the gun up and in your shoulder, ready to swing? I'll bet you do not. So start shooting your clays with a low gun and implement your gun mount in to your practice. Try to develop a smooth gun mount with as little extra movement as possible, but one where you incorporate your swing (left-right movement), in to vertical movement of lifting the gun into your shoulder.

Gun Mount Video

     Once you've established a gun mount you can begin to incorporate it in to your clay shooting to make it more dynamic, but it doesn't stop there. Oh no. This is just the beginning. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make skeet more dynamic, and help you prepare for the bird hunting season. 

Delayed Pull. This is where you have the trapper (the guy pushing the button to send the clay) delay the pull anywhere from 1-5 (or more) seconds after you call for the clay. 

Trapper's Choice. Similar to delayed pull, but the trapper gets to decide whether to send the high house first or the low house, surprising you even more.

Doubles. Shoot doubles on all stations, taking your second pair on stations 1, 2, 6, and 7 backwards. 

Remember, you are shooting every station, including station 8, with a low gun.

     I prefer skeet to trap, but if you only have a trap field on which you can practice there are ways you can make trap more dynamic too. Delayed pull works on a trap field, too. Where permissible, stand directly behind the trap house, and have someone surprise you with the pulls. If possible, cranking the spring arm up to doubles speed will send the clays even faster, and if your trap field is equipped with wobble traps, then that is another option. Again, always practice low gun.

     Practicing like you play isn't just about shooting low gun. It is also about using the same equipment. No more dedicated clay target guns, use your field guns. Use the same choke combination you would in the field, too. Many clubs have restrictions on shot size, but if you can use the same size shot, or even the same ammo you hunt with. Do these things and you will see improved success afield this fall.

** A quick word for those who always find a way to criticize clay shooting, and claim there is no relation to wingshooting. I often hear people come up with some reason clay shooting is no good as practice. You are wrong. If you don't enjoy clay shooting just say it. Nothing wrong with that, but to say that improving the relationship between your eyes, hands, and brain does not improve ones wingshooting is just stupid. 

The Awakening

     The Awakening has commenced. No, I am not referring to any horror movie type scenario. I am referring to all the clues around us that grouse season will soon be here.

      Some of the clues are quite apparent. Today as I browsed Facebook I was inundated with post after post of people celebrating "The Glorious 12th", which marks opening day of grouse season in the UK.  I enjoy reading about moorland outings, and one day will have my own tale of tweed and heather to tell. Just not this year.

     Other clues are less apparent, sneaking up on us, and upsetting the household balance. Like every year, the first cool, dry August nights signal a change in behavior and thoughts of the upcoming grouse season start occupying our cerebral space. Like an Autumn moon affects the woodcock, the changing night air affects the wingshooter. None more than the grouse hunter, who begins straining in an effort to spot the first hint of leaves changing color.

     I am affected no less than anyone else, maybe more. In the week alone an obvious change has occurred. Equipment which has been stored since last winter has once again seen the light of day as it is inspected. Boots have suddenly found a new coat of boot oil, and plans to sit at the reloading bench, building the perfect grouse load have been laid. The change has not been lost on my very lovely and supportive wife, who upon returning from work in the evening does not make mention of the fact that I am watching the same Ruffed Grouse Society YouTube video for the 15th time. She knows, through experience, how this pre-season build up works. It benefits her, too. She often refers to herself as a hunting season widow, acknowledgement that I do in fact spend a lot of time away from home when grouse season is open.

     This year the build up is probably a bit more intense as I've organized another Grouse School event for the Ruffed Grouse Society. The event is a one day clinic in which we pass on everything the new hunter will need to know to start grouse hunting.

     Of course real life isn't about just grouse hunting, and I've have got a couple other fantastic things in the works to distract me. Next month we will be going back to Japan to visit family. I most certainly look forward to this. We have tentative plans to do some hiking when we are there, and I was informed last night that there is a place I can go fishing, with equipment rental, near where we are staying......but hiking and fishing are not the things I am most looking forward to (after seeing family, of course). The things about this trip that are providing the most distractions from the season build up are my tattoo appointment, and rugby. For some time now I have been in the process of getting a traditional Japanese full back tattoo from Horiyoshi III. This trip I will be having the final installment of what has been a long, interesting adventure. This trip to Japan also corresponds with the Rugby World Cup, which Japan is hosting. I've long been a rugby supporter, and was thrilled to be able to get a ticket to see Wales v Australia in Tokyo. Two dreams coming true in one trip to Japan.

 .......but still, I can't stop thinking about the fact that I will miss the opening day of woodcock season here at home.