How can I improve my moving shot (shotgun at flying birds)?

Question

I dont have access to the club practicing at claybirds. only in my farm.

Answer 1

I like Ranjer J's suggestion whether you are shooting live birds or clays.

Game  birds fly at varying speeds & their path is not as predictable as clays.

Tracking anything that flies whether you take a shot or not will improve your  ability to "pick up" the target quickly & instinctively.

While there are basics anyone can read up on it comes down to the individual.

Start w/ a basic stance .

Weight on the forward on the left ( pivot) foot if you are a right handed shooter , but consider you may have a shot from  the knee if you are in a blind.

Elbow of the right arm a little high for a free swing & follow through.

Keeping  your cheek on the stock in the same place for consistent visualization or f the target is important.

Track , lead ,  trigger squeeze & follow through are fundamental.

Apply them if you can & if they are comfortable for you.

Have seen excellent shooting from people who could not apply the classic rules......bad back , neck,, knees, dumb  etc.

All kinds of athletes have unorthodox "form" but are successful beacuse it is comfortable for them & they are consistent.

as an example .....I for one do not follow through.

I track & lead , but tend to stop & fire where I think the clay & shot will meet

Considered bad form & not recommending it  ,but it works for me & I don't care what the book says.

A small trap would be nice  but a  friend w/ hand thrower  can be  more challenging since the clays tend to wobble & fly at all sorts of odd speed & angles.

Best regards

Answer 2

Definitely get a clay bird thrower.

A good thrower can be had for less than $100 easily. I use this one by Do-All Traps when I go camping. Easily set up and throws birds great. It can also be attached to a trailer hitch.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/64989870...

They also have a more budget type of thrower which is a full c o c k instead of 3/4 which means you'll need a little more effort to use the thrower.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/SS-41815...

Also, check their website for all the other type of throwers they have for sale at do-alltraps.com

Answer 3

Aside from the good answers about getting clay target thrower, you can practice at home.  Actually, anywhere you see birds flying will work.  This is unorthodox, but it works.  Act like you are holding a gun and then "shoulder the gun."  Point your support hand finger behind the bird as you swing through.  Pass the beak about a bird's length and imagine pulling the trigger.  Keep swinging to encourage the all important follow through.  Do this a dozen or so times per day.

It sounds crazy but it works.  I cannot get to the range much and I do this in my yard.  My neighbors think I am crazy, but no one has complained about the dove and duck BBQ.

Answer 4

I have the same proplem cant hardly soot flying birds..my dad gets mad haha

Answer 5

Get yourself a clay thrower and practice shooting from all angles and situations this will help you with your shot bunches.

Answer 6

Find a public range that has an instructor.  Buy a few lessons to get you started in the right direction before you develop and seriously bad habits that will take forever to break.  Then go buy a clay bird thrower and several boxes of clay targets.  Find a friend, spouse, etc. who is willing to throw birds for you.  then it is just a matter of practicing what the instructor taught you until you get good at it.  be sure to shoot the birds gong in all directions relative to your position, toward you, away from you, across right to left then left to right then angling away from you, etc.  Before long, you will be a pretty decent wing shot.

Answer 7

Get yourself a hand launcher and practice, practice, practice.

Answer 8

Buy some clay birds, and a thrower from Walmart, they don't cost much there.* Have a friend or family member throw the clay birds like is thrown at a Skeet, and Trap Range.* Practice and you will see a big improvement in the field when hunting in no time at all.*

Answer 9

Shoot with both eyes open.

Answer 10

Get a hand launcher and get bubba to toss  clay for you