Even though most of the game seasons arent untill the late summer and fall, I got to thinking about what people could do to improve thier shooting ability in the field. I know a lot of hunters in my area that just go to the range once a year to sight in and thats all. Perhaps by trying some different things at the range now untill hunting season might help many hunters during the season.
Some ideas to get this discussion started:
Run in place for 30 to 60 seconds before shooting at a target, to simulate coming up a steep hill and getting your heart rate up.
Wear the clothing and equipment ( backpacks, fannypacks,gloves, etc) that you will use hunting and practice shooting with it on.
Practice shooting from different field positions, as an offhand or benchrest shot is not common in the woods.
Shoot at different times during the day to get an idea of the varying lighting conditions.
Shoot in the rain or inclement weather.
Learn to estimate range!
Practice shooting uphill and downhill.
If you use a treestand, take a folding chair to the range and shoot from it to simulate being in the stand.
Use earplugs at the range, most earmuff type protection puts your head in a different position on the stock than when you arent wearing them in the field.
Shoot at realistic deer or elk targets.
Load the first round as a dummy round, to simulate a bad round in the field and have to cycle the action for a second shot.
Get a ballistics program and figure out your point blank range for your caliber that you shoot.
Ok Ill have some more soon, but lets hear your ideas!
Ted
Some ideas to get this discussion started:
Run in place for 30 to 60 seconds before shooting at a target, to simulate coming up a steep hill and getting your heart rate up.
Wear the clothing and equipment ( backpacks, fannypacks,gloves, etc) that you will use hunting and practice shooting with it on.
Practice shooting from different field positions, as an offhand or benchrest shot is not common in the woods.
Shoot at different times during the day to get an idea of the varying lighting conditions.
Shoot in the rain or inclement weather.
Learn to estimate range!
Practice shooting uphill and downhill.
If you use a treestand, take a folding chair to the range and shoot from it to simulate being in the stand.
Use earplugs at the range, most earmuff type protection puts your head in a different position on the stock than when you arent wearing them in the field.
Shoot at realistic deer or elk targets.
Load the first round as a dummy round, to simulate a bad round in the field and have to cycle the action for a second shot.
Get a ballistics program and figure out your point blank range for your caliber that you shoot.
Ok Ill have some more soon, but lets hear your ideas!
Ted