Wingshooting Responsibillity
This workshop was
about wingshooting and the responsibillity a hunter has. You see deer hunters
at the range everyday almost. They are usually very methodical about sighting
in their rifles. How often do you see a wingshooter out patterning a shotgun?
Not as much as what is needed. Knowing how your shotgun shoots with different
loads and chokes will make all the difference when you go to dove camp or out
in the marsh for ducks.
Sunday night of the
class began with introductions and a power point on statistics. There are not
enough wingshooters who can tell you how certain loads will shoot. Some can
only tell you "It's the one that came with the shotgun when I bought
it." if you ask what choke they use. I cannot in this space cover all the
material out there on wingshooting. So I will just say this: Practice,
Practice, PRACTICE. Try different size loads. Try different chokes. Mix them
up. The saying that steel is not as good as lead will not work. Steel is as
good as and in some ways better than lead. You just have to learn how to shoot
it.
After a little more
classroom activity, we headed outside. Some of the class went to pattern their
shotguns while the rest went to shoot sporting clays. For this class we had a
speacial instructor. Charlie Wilson works for Texas Parks and Wildlife as the
operator of the Mobile Sporting Clays truck. He travels all over the state year
round. This man knows shotgunning!! He could stand behind someone, watch their
shot, then tell them how to correct any mistakes. Working with him was a
complete thrill. All paid very close attention whenever he was talking.
I gave up a day of
work for this class but it was well worth it. I am much more confident in my
abilities with wingshooting now. And I feel I am more able to teach this class.
The first time I had this class last year, we did not have Charlie and the
mobile unit. After this go around, with him there, we were able to get
certified to teach this course. A very big thanks to and TP&W for putting
this class on.
Patterning Your Shotgun
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