"WATERFOWL NOTES"

WINGSHOOTING & THE RECREATIONAL HUNTER

There are hunts where it’s 10 doves in 12 shots but more when its 5 doves in 20 shots. We (Recreational Hunters) all try for consistency. In wing shooting like every sport the formula is the same, Consistency = concentration + fundamentals + practice.

There are some good shooters that don’t practice, but even they get better with correct practice. Even Tiger Woods constantly practices and under the watchful eye of a “golf instructor.” That should answer any questions on is practice really necessary?

Now is the time to start practicing for the up and coming wing shooting seasons for this fall and winter – dove, duck, goose, quail and upland birds?  Most recreational bird hunters (those that hunt birds 20 or 30 times a year or less). With the high cost of shells, practice is less expensive than wasted ammo.

All require practicing the proper fundamentals correctly. Shotgun shooters fundamentals include Proper shotgun fit, Mounting, Swinging, Pointing, Tracking, Leading and Follow through with both eyes open. These fundamentals must become second nature to insure consistency.

 Shotguns are designed and built for the average male. It would be very unusual if you had one that fit, one that becomes a part of your body. It mounts perfectly, shoots level and allows the trigger to be “squeezed” properly.

Have your shotgun fitted, for you – This is the first and easiest The first part is going to a reliable gunsmith. Ask if he “can and does” fit shotguns. If not to recommend a person that “he” would use to fit a shotgun. It could cost a couple hundred dollars but you would have a gun that fits like a glove and take one problem away for the mix. The second part is practice in the house or garage. Learn to mount the shotgun, track after pointing to a spot on the joint of a ceiling to wall. Third, lead (forward allowance) and “squeezing” the trigger is best done at a shooting range.

Shotgun mount – Avoid mounting and then swinging  The better wing shooters swing to follow the target and mount the shotgun simultaneously. A few years ago an Olympic metal winner gave me a half dozen lessons. The two conditions he felt needed consistency above all others – mounting and follow through. All hunters that experience a black & blue bicep – the result of the butt being on the arm not the shoulder know that it is impossible to hit the intended target. He recommended that I use a recoil shoulder pad (cost around $25.00). Once adjusted for the pocket in my shoulder, it is easy to place the butt on the pad “every time.”

Follow through - To insure a follow though after the shot, jerk to gun along the path of the bird – or the path the bird would take (if hit). When practicing at the skeet range do what ever is required to exaggerate the follow thorough

Tracking – With both eyes open pick out the target, as your eyes follow the target start the mount – don’t move your head – use both hands to move the gun to you should and face. Hold the gun, but don’t squeeze, move behind, then past the target. As soon as you have passed the leading edge and see some daylight – pull the trigger. If the target is in range, it should be hit and hit hard. If further out, it will require more lead (forward-allowance)

Practice shooting - If you are like me you just can’t get to the range enough. Yeas ago when I played golf regularly I had a standing “4-some” and a couple of standing times each week to play. On occasion, about 4 times a year – when something went wrong with my game, I took a lesson from the club pro. Several times each week I hit the practice range and worked on a couple of possible conditions and a hitting a couple of clubs. It worked and I got better each month, even could be called good – not “scratch” but above average for a weekend golfer.

I tell this sequence with golf, others have the same with tennis, pool, even ping pong. To explain an inherent problem, one I have and quite a few other hunters have. No shooting group and no set time for sporting clay or skeet. Finding time to shoot, finding a place to shoot and finding partners to shoot. All three have become the problem with practice. The shooting ranges are on the outskirts of the city, in the weekly afternoon the traffic makes getting to a range and having enough time to shoot impossible Add to this most ranges on weekends are “full” and frown on “single” hunters shooting rounds, And finding a group that allows and “extra” gun could require several hours of sitting around.

My answer is going to the closest range directly after early church on Sundays a couple of times each month. It cost a little more – in way of a tip – to have a “puller” to shoot a couple rounds of skeet. At times there are a couple of other shooters to join in. Also, there are a few times that the range allows the shooter to shoot only a couple of stands. You can then practice the stands that are most trouble.

Shells – I discovered several years ago dove hunting that some shells would kill better if I threw them at the doves rather than fired through the gun. Place a piece of plastic card-board out about 40-yards, and shoot a couple of light loads. The one that penetrates the best and patterns the best use for both practice and light bird hunting.

Single target – Don’t flock shoot. Some hunters see a flock of birds and think if they shoot in the flock they’ll get one or more. Only on one occasion have I seen that mentality work. A few years ago during a teal hunt, a flight of 30 plus teal appeared in front of our group. Only one hunter had shells in his gun. From the hip he fired three times we picked up four limits. On at least a 100 times I’ve seen hunters shoot into a flock and nothing fall, later they say “I fired into that bunch and nothing fell, I can’t believe it.” They do now. Always pick out one bird at a time.

Point & keep both eyes open  – Don’t aim. A shotgun is pointed and a rifle is aimed. Wing shooting requires pointing, not aiming. Remember wing shooting requires picking up the target, before and while shouldering the shotgun. Most shots require more than one angle, and most folks require two eyes to get the proper point and forward allowance.

Harvest Distance – Delivering the proper number of pellets (pattern) with the full kinetic energy of pellets deeply enough (penetration)to affect vital organs. This depends on the shell you are going to use. If you want to shoot at 50 yards, pick up a few shells of different loads and pellet sizes. Place a target of 1 x 1 foot piece of 1 by pine lumber at the center of a 3 x3 piece of paper on a 3x3 foot plywood target. The shell that offers the deepest pellet penetration  into the pine board coupled with the density of  pellets hits in a 24-inch diameter circle with the center of the circle your point of aim. If you want to extend the range, then move the target to that range. Penetration of a couple of pellets in the head of the bird will bring it down, as will a broken wing.

Determining Distance – Fill a half dozen balloons with helium. Blow them up the size of the bird you are hunting. Drive a stake at 30 yards, another at 40 yards and a third at 50 yards. Tie kite string to each and tie balloons at 40 and 50 yards on each string. For the starting point look at the balloons over your shotgun barrel. Determine how much of each balloon the muzzle blots out. Write it in a tablet, coupled with a hand sketched picture. This way you know what your bird looks like at 30, 40 and 50-yards. You can find a box containing balloons and a small tank of helium in the stationary section of most Wal Marts. 

Lessons – practice inevitably improve your skill, but if you hit a plateau, consider taking a lesson from a certified shooting instructor. The instructor can diagnose shooting problems and increase your proficiency – more game less shells.

Books – There are quite a few books on wing shooting, the two I recommend are:

Shotgunning The Art & the Science by the late Bob Brister by Winchester Press – The most entertaining and practical book I’ve ever read on shotgun shooting. It tells some interesting methods of practice, gun fit, recoil, chokes, loads, effects of weather, forward allowance, art of waterfowl shooting, upland gunning, shot string, penetration and more. Words that every hunter can understand and use. A book you’ll go back to many times.

If It Ain’t Broke, FIX IT by Gil & Vicki Ash, owners of the OSP Shooting School – A very good book shooting and practice of shooting – lessons in shotgunning. Covers: Eye dominance, stance, grip, point, drills, practice, lessons, equipment, etc.  This is a keeper.  

Duckngoose.com doesn’t offer either book for sale. I have seen in Wildfowl magazine book section the Brister book for sale. The Ash’s have a web site that offers all there books for sale.

  If guns cause crime, then pencils must cause misspelled words.

RECIPE

MEATLOAF with MUSHROOMS

4-6 cups poached snow geese in ½ to ¾ inch pieces
1 ea small white onion, grated
1 jar (6-oz) mushroom spices, drained
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 ea large egg, beaten
1 Tbls Dijon mustard
1 Tbls Randy’s Rub Mew Tender
1 Tbls Dave’s Peppa Royale
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp red pepper

In a bowl mix well until combined meat with all other ingredients. Score meat into two rectangular shaped loaves. In an oven proof skillet sear each loaf on all sides. Cover with foil and place the skillet in a 350 degree F oven, cook until cooked through, about 20 – 30 minutes. Remove, reduce oven to 225 degrees F and pour sauce over top and return to oven, cook for 15 minutes, basting every 3 minutes. Remove skillet from oven, place meat loafs on a platter, pour skillet liquid over top. Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Sauce

1 Tbls olive oil
1 Tbls butter
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced ¼-inch thick
1 Tbls all-purpose flour
1 jig orange liquor
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp red pepper

In a high-side skillet heat oil over medium heat. Melt butter in hot oil. Add mushrooms and cook until tender and brown. Whisk in flour until smooth. Remove skillet from the fire and add liquor – IT STILL MIGHT FLAME, TAKE CARE AND ALLOW ALCOHOL TO BURN OFF – return to heat and stir-in broth, cream salt and pepper. Bring to a boil reduce by 1/3 or until liquid will stick to the back of a spoon.

RECIPE

POACH SNOW GEESE

3 ea snow geese, halved
Water
Cider vinegar
6 cups chicken broth
2 Tbls DNG Waterfowl spice
1 ea small onion, halved
1 ea small carrot, halved

In a non-conductive bowl place the 4 halves, cover with water plus 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Refrigerate; change water with vinegar every 20 minutes until water runs clear. Pour off water. In a pot place goose halves, broth, DNG Waterfowl spice, onion, carrot and bell pepper (if broth does not cover the dry ingredients, add water to cover plus 2 inches), bring to a boil. Lower to simmer, cover and poach for 20 minutes or until firm to touch. Uncover, cool for 30 minutes. Strain liquid through a wire strainer lined with cheese cloth, pour into zip loc bags and freeze for further use. Place meat on flat working surface; cut meat into ½ to ¾ inch pieces, discard bones and pellets. Set meat aside.

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