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.