MISS!!!
By Montana Grant

Posted: October 5, 2019

Pheasant season is just around the corner. Nothing is more exciting than a cackling rooster getting up at your feet. Nothing is more frustrating than emptying your shotgun at the close in bird and completely missing it.

After guiding bird hunters, I focus more on the shooters than the birds. What I noticed was that they lift their head off the stock and shoot over the bird. Shotguns are not to be aimed but rather they are to be pointed. You are shooting a pattern of BB’s not a single bullet. The mount and swing are required to be consistent to be accurate.

Many anxious hunters can’t wait to see if they hit their mark. The bird is right there, how could they miss? They lift their head to see the bird fall. Now they do not have their face against the stock. Just may as well just throw the shells at the bird since you are positioned to miss anyway.

Great shooters shoot great amounts of ammunition. To be a marksman, trigger pulls, and practice are essential. The more you shoot, the better shooter you will become.

Things happen fast when hunting. You need to control the barrel, look for any safety issues, identify the target, know where the dog and your buddies are, try to control the excitement, and oh yea, shoot the bird. This is a lot to learn and perform.

Practice, Practice, Practice!!! Repetition means muscle memory. After hundreds of shots, your brain will develop instincts and respond without thought.

“Here’s a quarter!” Next time you are shooting skeet or trap, place a quarter between your cheek and gunstock. Make sure the gun is mounted properly. This works great when shooting doubles. Call for the target and shoot away. If your quarter is on the ground, you lifted your chin.

If you still don’t believe me, have your buddy video your shots.

Seeing is believing.

Montana Grant

For more Montana Grant, target him at www.montanagrantfishing.com.

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