Tennessee Deer Talk: My need for practice is showing...

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#2934312 - 09/06/12 02:59 PM

My need for practice is showing...

catman529
spiderboy
16 Point

Registered: 11/10/10
Posts: 10892
Loc: Franklin TN

Online

well this morning I did a little dove hunting and met up with Nimrod. We had the dove fields to ourselves and he took one field, while I took the other. He fired once at some pigeons and I looked and saw a lone dove coming my way. I took 3 shots at a bird that anyone could have killed... missed all 3 times.... but to bring some meat home anyway I shot a pigeon off its nest $\:D$ Don't get on me for not properly "hunting" the pigeon, I was not hunting, just killing a nuisance species for meat...

I don't get to shoot skeet as often as I should cause I have to drive at least 45 min one way if not more, and it's just not convenient to go practice so I haven't gotten much shooting done lately. I guess these doves will be my practice. I am shooting regular dove loads 7.5 or 8 shot and a mod choke in my 12 gauge. I aim a bit in front of the bird when I shoot... either it's not lined up right, or i am pulling instead of squeezing the trigger, or I haven't got the right amount of lead on the bird, guess I will shoot at a few more and figure it out. I did manage to kill the first one I shot at, in the first shot, so I will see if I can work on doing that more often...

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A good day in the woods is best finished off with an ice cold Sun Drop.

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#2934482 - 09/06/12 05:17 PM

Re: My need for practice is showing... [Re: catman529]

JSPAL270
6 Point

Registered: 11/13/08
Posts: 760
Loc: BLOUNT CO

Offline

im glad to hear someone else likes to eat pigeon to

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#2934491 - 09/06/12 05:25 PM

Re: My need for practice is showing... [Re: JSPAL270]

Kimberman
10 Point

Registered: 10/30/05
Posts: 3135
Loc: Knoxville

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You don't aim a shotgun, you point it. Most people who have problems with shotgunning either:
1. Stop their gun when they pull the trigger
2. Lift their head when the pull the trigger
3. Both 1&2

Eye dominance can be an issue for some. If you are right handed and left eye dominant, you will have big problems with lead. Henry Horton State Park has trap and skeet fields, you can be there in 30 minutes from Franklin

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#2934814 - 09/06/12 09:35 PM

Re: My need for practice is showing... [Re: Kimberman]

catman529
spiderboy
16 Point

Registered: 11/10/10
Posts: 10892
Loc: Franklin TN

Online

it's 45 mins to the horton skeet range. I will pay attention to the 2 points you mentioned and also I am right handed and right eye dominant so that's not a problem.

_________________________
A good day in the woods is best finished off with an ice cold Sun Drop.

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#2934919 - 09/06/12 11:05 PM

Re: My need for practice is showing... [Re: catman529]

scn
12 Point

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 6976
Loc: Brentwood, TN US

Online

There are a variety of things that could be causing your problems. I'm sure Chaneylake could watch you about five minutes and tell you what you aren't doing right.

Some things to check and work on:

1. Shotguns (due to stock configurations) can require different sight pictures with the front bead. Some are designed for the bead to be put under the target where the target is always in view for the optimum centering of the pattern. Others are set up for the bead to block out the target for the optimum centering. A shot or two at a pattern board (big cardboard) can show you where your pattern is centered in relation to your aiming point. If you have removable chokes, it can also show you what might be the best choke for dove shooting distances. Many hunters handicap themselves with too tight of a choke. Doves are fairly easily killed when you hit them, and wider patterns can help with that.

2. Most shots at moving targets that miss are behind the bird. Usually the culprit is the shooter stopping their swing. You have to swing and follow through as you are pulling the trigger. If you stop, you will miss (behind)the majority of the time.

3. The lead can be much more than what you think at longer ranges. PM Chaneylake and he may be able to get you in the ballpark. A crossing dove at 35-40 yards requires some significant daylight in front.

And, lastly, don't get down on yourself. Doves are one of the most challenging wing targets out there. I have heard of estimates from manufacturers, etc of one bird to 5-7 shots being average. If you are like I was at your age, it can be a fairly humbling deal to start, and then something will "click", and it will become a lot more fun. Enjoy the process!

Edited by scn (09/06/12 11:06 PM)

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#2934932 - 09/06/12 11:18 PM

Re: My need for practice is showing... [Re: scn]

catman529
spiderboy
16 Point

Registered: 11/10/10
Posts: 10892
Loc: Franklin TN

Online

thanks a bunch for the advice scn. I think follow through is definitely one of my weak points. I remember it before the shot and forget about it when I pull the trigger.

_________________________
A good day in the woods is best finished off with an ice cold Sun Drop.

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#2937774 - 09/10/12 02:15 AM

Re: My need for practice is showing... [Re: catman529]

Rockhound
8 Point

Registered: 04/04/11
Posts: 1946
Loc: Lawrence Co. TN

Offline

Getting to shoot a bunch is part of the fun and i would have wacked the pigeon also.

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