moving target practice?

Z

zahnzieh

New member
Shotgun deer season right around the corner. how do you guys practice for moving targets(deer)? Slugs are expensive - but i dont feel comfortable in just zeroing in my shotgun. i would like to practice off-hand shots, standing etc.., and moving. i'm mainly an archery hunter and dont do birds - should i be doing some trap-shooting? Any ideas? thanks:D
 
I think a little trap shooting wouldn't do any harm. Plus its a lotta fun. Then maybe try some moving targets to hone your skills.
 
Trap shooting is good practice, but here in Oklahoma, we don't have very many flying deer. I would suggest finding a Bodark tree (or horse apple tree)
and gather up a bunch of them. Have a friend roll them on the ground, and shoot at them with a .22 rifle. This is the way we practice for rabbit hunting, and it does not cost you a fortune. The apple rolling on the ground forces you to pick your spot as it rolls between shrubs and weeds. This is more like the background you will be shooting at a deer. If you get where you can hit the apple on a regular basis, then you will be able to take a more confident shot at a moving deer. I don't like moving shots at deer, and I stand hunt exclusively anymore, and generally I don't have to take a moving shot, as I have the element of surprise, most of the time. If you are a stalk type hunter, I do see the reason for wanting to be good with a moving target though, and this is one of the best and cheapest ways to practice.
 
For what it is worth coming from a guy who will not shoot at a running deer except as a "necessary" followup to a first shot that causes a wounded animal here is my experence.

If the animal is indeed close enough to where it is ethical and possible to take a offhand running shot at a deer with a shotgun do know that the deer will be moving a whole lot slower than any clay you may practice on.

Depending on what method of shooting you do at clays, I use the swing through method, you will find that chances are with a deer you will be shooting ahead of it. At practical ranges your "lead" with a deer will be very slight if at all, depending on angle.

While I think your desire to practice is estemable, as it represents a willingness to work on being sure you don't just wound game, I'd like to suggest a reassessment of the "need" to shoot a running deer. Under many situations it's just not the most ethical thing to do.

Of course if you're hunting with dogs and a groupe as so often happens in this area then it's a differnt call.
 
Get a radio controled truck with a low gearing (high gears and those things go too fast for me :o) and rig up a wood stake wood with cardboard to it and staple a target to the cardboard. Balloons are nice but it's hard to find helium these days for them without all kinds of special licenses.
 
Try some "BPUT"s. AKA prairie poodles for shoot and scoot. They move around a bit and can give some very good practice on leads and holdover. If you have to practice with the scattergun, try the running rabbit on the sporting clays section. I NEVER break them all, NEVER. Very humbling experience.
 
Take an old tire and cut a piece of plywood 2" larger than the opening. Work the plywood so that it's inside the tire. If you cut it big enough, it won't come out. Have a friend roll it down hill (from a safe location) and you shoot as it clears a pre-determined point. There are also ways you can start it rolling by yourself if necessary. I've practiced this with birdshot under 30 yds and it works great. If the ground is rough, the tire will take unexpected bounces just like a bounding deer. Staple paper over the plywood for subsequent shots.

We do it just to see if we can more than anything. I've never shot at a running deer and I don't plan to but it's nice to know that I could.
 
Trap shooting with a shotgun is certainly good practice for shooting at moving targets. It teaches you the proper stance, lead, & good reaction time. Shooting at rabbits on the run with a 22 is also a good way to hone your shooting skills in preparation for deer season.
 
My thoughts on shooting running deer would mirror bswiv`s thoughts. Just have never shot at running deer unless it was a follow up shot to an allready wounded deer.
 
Thanks guys for all the ideas- I think I like the horse-apple idea the best!:D Just to clarify - I would never try to shoot a running deer - not ethical nor predictable, It is just where we hunt in Illinois by 2nd and 3rd shotgun weekend we do alot of pushes and we catch deer coming out of cover in motion at pinch-points. Standing, off-hand shots are the norm. Initially trying to stop the deer with a whistle etc is ideal. i just want to have the confidence for such "in motion" shots. These deer by 3rd weekend are so pressured as to not behave normally, becoming more nocturnal, and pushes are our only option.
 
Those are some good ideas

I've also heard of filling an oil drum about 1/2 full of water and sending it down a steep hill. The fella I know who does that usually practices it with the drum coming at him, but sending it down sideways would also be fun.
 
Let's see...shooting a drum rolling at you down hill. First, the target is presented broadside and gets larger and larger as time passes. The movement you are adjusting for is a fairly slow de-elevation. I am not sure that would be all that helpful.

Shooting it from the side as is passes by you, presenting only an end, that would be much more appropriate.
 
I remember reading an article where an American gunrag writer/hunter was invited to go shoot in Norway or some such country in that neck of the woods. He said that before they let hunters shoot game, they run them through a 'Running Target' range. He described a number of moose, elk, or deer type critter cutouts on rails. It was his objective to shoot a number of these and show proficiency with moving broadside and quartering shots. We have a small bore running target setup near here that is absolutely fantastic and addicting as all getout. Now, I don't know about shooting a running deer- but I jump all over the chances at yotes, Pdogs, skunks, and other such vermin.
I think it's an honorable endeavor for a feller to strive to know his rilfe in such a mannor that he could take such a shot with success if he wanted to. Yup, too many folks running about that have no idea a rifle can be fired from anything but a bench or a bi-pod.
 
The only time you should have to shoot at a running deer is if he/she is being pushed by a jugger or by hounds. The best thing to use is BUCKSHOT!

The deer will stop occasionally if they are not pushed very hard. This would be the best time to take the shot if it is presented to you.

Dogging and jugging deer can be a very fast paced event! I do not think that there is anything more exciting than hearing those hounds getting closer and closer and closer. And, then you hear the limbs breaking! Then it's show time!

If you are not running deer with dogs or juggers you should wait for a still shot.
 
rolly polly oil drum

the reason for shooting at an oil drum coming at you is to practice shooting at a charging target, so of course it isn't good practice for deer... That is why I suggested turning the whole affair 90 degrees.
 
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