Everything we do in life requires some sort of planning. We’ve all heard the expression, “…failure to plan is planning to fail”. As you would expect, the better the plan, the better the outcome. Shooting is no different. In the next few issues, we will look at exactly what it takes to achieve better marks on the scorecard, and how to get more birds in the bag. Now that hunting season is winding down, it is the perfect time to assess your hunts and your equipment. How can you make the next season more successful? Let’s take a look.
First stop, equipment. Does your gun fit? You would be amazed how many students come to me with a gun they have been using for years and they never knew that it was ill-fitting. They were staring at the back of the receiver because their eye was buried, the comb was too high making them shoot over the bird, or the cast was set for a right-hand shooter and they are a southpaw. Another possible problem is are you using the correct choke? Almost everyone on the planet always over chokes their gun causing the pattern to blow apart and leave holes all throughout, making it easy for a bird to fly right through your shot. Have you ever patterned that gun with that choke and the shot that you will be using to hunt? Not every gun shoots every shot the same way. You need to put it on paper to make certain that you don’t have any issues. Set up your target at a distance similar to what you will be hunting. Flushing game will certainly be closer that waterfowl. Finally, is the coat the issue? Practice at least once or twice in your hunting clothes, especially if you’re a waterfowler. You will be amazed at what happens. The collars and hoods are normally the big problem. You just don’t realize it until it’s too late and you’re in the blind fumbling around with your coat.
With your equipment check completed, which usually means another trip to GreenTop, it’s time to get down to the meat and potatoes of your shooting. When a student steps into the shooter’s box, I want them to give me four critical pieces of information each and every time for each and every bird. Initially, they just see an orange streak go whizzing across the field and they turn and stare at me in horror. I explain that I do have a soul and I am not here to make them feel like an idiot on the clay field. Quite the opposite. I am giving them a bird that they can easily conquer, IF THEY HAVE A PLAN!
When you call pull, watch the bird through its entire flight, from trap to ground. Then, start making your plan. 1) Which way is the bird traveling? Is it right to left or left to right? 2) How fast is the bird? Is it a slow, lumbering bird? Is it just an average speed bird? Is it a “holy crap” on fire bird? 3) Where do you want to break the bird? There will be one area in the bird’s flight that it seems to sort of slow down or, look a bit larger. Perhaps it moves out of the shadows and into the sunshine making it easier to see. Take note of this spot because that is now your “break point”. 4) What type of bird is this at the point in which you want to break the it? Is it a crossing bird, a quartering bird or a chandelle? Keep in mind, a single bird can easily present all three styles in one single flight path. You just need to figure out where it is YOU want to break the bird. By the way, just because your buddy wants to break it right off the trap, more than likely a quartering bird, doesn’t mean that you have to break it there. Each shooter will assess the same exact bird differently. This is also why I never tell anyone how far ahead of the bird they need to be to hit it. Everyone sees that window differently and it’s impossible to put a numeric value on an abstract image, especially when it varies from person to person. It’s where you feel most comfortable and can easily see the bird.
You now have critical pieces of information to help you analyze the bird and put together a solid plan of attack. If it is crossing bird, moving slowly right to left you just need to see yourself insert onto the bird, go with it for a brief moment and then ease ahead and pop the front left edge. If it is the same bird but, moving with more purpose, you will need to see more of a window versus just the left edge. We will get into the three types of birds and how to deal with each of them in the next issue. For now, back to that frantic beginner shooter in the box.
When I ask the student for the above four pieces of information and they hear themselves responding, the fear of failure quickly melts away and they realize they know how to kill the bird. I step back, they call pull and the bird disintegrates. That look on their face when this all happens is why I do this everyday regardless of weather, infirmities or schedule load. Anyone can play any game, if they know the rules of engagement. Dissecting the flight of the bird is our way of understanding the rules. It is our way of demystifying the physics involved and putting them on a plane that we can easily understand and manipulate to achieve the desired outcome, breaking the bird.
Take advantage of the upcoming warmer weather and this valuable time to hone your hunting skills. Be sure to take a friend or family member and help foster the love of the outdoors.