Browning makes a shotgun to fit your shooting style. Once you find your ideal waterfowl gun, practice these tips for better success in the field.
Waterfowl Shooting Quick Tips
Jon Tatum with Mossy Oak offers shooting tips for hunting waterfowl in the field, timber or water. When the ducks or geese finally commit and come in, start high and work low. The natural instinct is to go low, but start high and work your way to the bottom. Always swing through your target. Don't stop if you miss, just keep your shotgun moving with the target and squeeze the trigger again.
Practicing with Your Shotgun
Kevin Tate talks about the importance of shotgun practice. Rifle shooting is about ballistics and being steady on the gun. Unlike rifle shooting, shotgunning is about reflexes and feel. To keep those in shape, you must practice. In order to get the best out of your hunting opportunities, you must have your practice in before you arrive. Options like early fall dove shoots, sporting clays, or trap and skeet are great ways to get your practice so you're ready when the ducks are coming in.
Fit and Feel of Shotguns
Kevin Tate elaborates on proper shotgunning by focusing on the fit and feel of your shotgun. You're looking for a shotgun that feels good in your hands, is firm but not too heavy and balances well as you point and swing. You want to also make sure the shotgun rib and bead are aligned with your natural motion for aim and shoot. Because this process is different for different shooters, Browning offers a variety of shotguns. Handle a few different models and find the shotgun that's right for you.
Calculating Your Lead
When you take passing shots and you miss, it's hard to tell what you need to do. Calculated lead comes down to trusting your instincts. First, you need to use good form. Make sure you're bringing your shotgun to your shoulder and shrugging your shoulder up to your eye, not pulling your head down onto the shotgun. Keep the shotgun shrugged up through the shot with your cheek on the gun, and maintain a smooth view down the rib as you swing through the target. Don't stop as you shoot.
Picking Your Target
To have success wingshooting, you have to avoid just flock shooting. To take multiple birds in the field, you have to start with one. When watching waterfowl come in to the blind, pick one bird, point, swing and shoot. Always have one target at a time.
Practicing in Hunting Situations
Jon Tatum explains the value of practicing shooting your shotgun in actual hunting situations. Shoot from the knee, on a bucket, in the boat, wherever you may be hunting from. Whichever practicing option you prefer, be sure you're practicing as you would be hunting.
