collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Re-learning to shoot  (Read 4370 times)

Offline dilleytech

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 1660
  • Location: Columbia gorge washington
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #15 on: December 25, 2023, 09:41:36 AM »
Hey, no pro here. I actually had a similar problem several years back. I learned to shoot a rifle, 60+ years ago with my left eye closed. Other than a little trap shooting while in the Air Force 40 years ago and some duck and goose hunting over the next several years, I've used shotguns very little compared to rifles in my life. No matter what I do, as soon as a gun starts to my shoulder, my left eye closes. Quite a few years ago I started Chukar and Grouse hunting over dogs. As my bird dogs learned their craft, their expectations in my abilities with a shotgun grew. As the birds flew off leaving the dogs looking at me and me looking at my shotgun. Finally I had no choice but to start looking for help. I read books, watched instructional videos and then a close friend, who's spent hours on hours behind the butt of a shotgun said, listen, forget everything you've been told and read. The next time a bird gets up, start following it, swinging the barrel from behind the bird to the front. When the bead passes the beak, squeeze the trigger as you keep swinging. I said, how am I going to see the beak. He said that's the point. As you're focusing on the picture above barrel and looking for the beak, you don't think about whether your eyes are open or closed. You're looking past the bead and for the beak. As silly as that all sounds, I haven't missed a Blue Grouse since I started using his theory. One of these days I'll actually find a Chukar to shoot at. Like I said, not a pro, just a for what it's worth and it has worked for me.

That’s a great technique. I primarily waterfowl hunt. Ducks and geese fly in straight lines in any given direction. If flying over head I pull through just like you describe. If flying side to side I come up from below the bird and swing up infront of them to the necessary lead based on distance and punch the trigger. Shotgunning isn’t hard it’s mostly just learning how far to lead birds at given distances and executing the shot at the correct time.

I’ll look for the target with two eyes but focus with one. No idea what eye is dominant.

Offline hunter399

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8684
  • Location: In Your Hunting Spot
  • Groups: NRA RMEF
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #16 on: December 25, 2023, 12:20:57 PM »
To this day ,I can't shoot with both eyes open.
Rifle,shotgun, whatever.
But I can shoot with my one eye.
It's definitely a handicap, I think I could learn to do it.
With both eyes open,left eye tends to take over.

Offline JWBINX

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Nov 2013
  • Posts: 494
  • Location: washington
  • Groups: LIFE NRA, RMEF
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #17 on: December 25, 2023, 01:15:02 PM »
Hunter,
If you started shooting a lot of Trap, Skeet, or Sporting Clays you would learn to use both eyes.
It's like an acquired taste, It just happens or your scores will not improve.
Have a Merry Christmas everyone.

 

Offline metlhead

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 1662
  • Location: sw wa
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #18 on: December 25, 2023, 02:33:40 PM »
Love to hunt these ducks that fly in these straight lines. Man that would save on ammo.

Offline dilleytech

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 1660
  • Location: Columbia gorge washington
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #19 on: December 26, 2023, 09:56:20 AM »
Love to hunt these ducks that fly in these straight lines. Man that would save on ammo.

lol they don’t fly in loops or zig zigs. Draw a line from the tail to beak. The bird is headed in that strait line. Watch a duck flying some time. They don’t zig zag. They are very predictable.

Offline hdshot

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 834
  • Location: e wa
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #20 on: December 26, 2023, 04:52:56 PM »
When shooting a shotgun both eyes are to remain open.
It's not the same as rifle shooting.

Once you get the sight picture on the shotgun with both eyes open, you then won’t even think about closing an eye for rifle, pistol, and even with the bow.  Keeping your depth perception helps with no eye strain.
Don't read my post if facts hurt your feeling.

Offline fishngamereaper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8758
  • Location: kitsap
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #21 on: December 26, 2023, 05:26:47 PM »
It's just practice and muscle memory
I'm cross eyed dominate to but in my old life shot enough that eventually both eye's where open no matter what I was shooting
I've also taught allot of people to shoot
The easy way to practice is dry fire .. just walk around your property or your house with your shotgun and acquire targets. Eventually your brain will overcome your handicap  :chuckle:

Offline str8meat

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 363
  • Location: central washington
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #22 on: December 27, 2023, 09:13:37 AM »
Same boat, shoot rifles left handed close right eye, shoot bow right handed close left eye. Solved my problem. Bought left handed rifles and learned to shoot them using the left hand to work the bolt. Just takes practice. I actually got powder burns on my face from a right handed shot gun misfire , which lead to the switch. Started with a browning bps, bottom eject. Do what’s comfortable for you.
watch yer top knot

Offline Henrydog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2016
  • Posts: 1103
  • Location: Eastern Washington
  • Groups: NRA Life Member, RMEF, Phesants Forever
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #23 on: December 27, 2023, 09:14:18 AM »
I used to shoot competitive trap.  I was pretty good.  AA singles and a 27yard Handicap shooter.  I shoot a shotgun with only 1 eye.  I have tried many, many times to shot with both eyes open.  I cannot do it, as in I am not even in the right zip code.  If that is the case with you, it might be easier (ii use that term lightly) to switch to your dominate side.

Offline SuperX

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2007
  • Posts: 536
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #24 on: December 27, 2023, 11:30:35 AM »
Not sure what size bead you have but I noticed I shot better with one of those longer fiberoptic beads.  The bead was larger than stock and bright so I was always focused on it and my left eye never tried to cross over...  maybe worth trying

Offline metlhead

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 1662
  • Location: sw wa
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #25 on: December 27, 2023, 12:35:01 PM »
I second those Hi-Viz fibre optic beads. Really focus your shooting eye

Offline The Gobble-stopper

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 519
  • Location: Lewis county
Re: Re-learning to shoot
« Reply #26 on: December 29, 2023, 04:32:13 PM »
Love to hunt these ducks that fly in these straight lines. Man that would save on ammo.

lol they don’t fly in loops or zig zigs. Draw a line from the tail to beak. The bird is headed in that strait line. Watch a duck flying some time. They don’t zig zag. They are very predictable.
Unless you are hunting green wing teal. They do more then zig zag and loop and instantly turn that into a dive or sky rocket straight up. Far from a straight line! And last time I checked, they were still considered a duck. Other ducks do the same. Yea, rarely do I find a duck that flies straight.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

11th Annual 'Pull For Scouting' Clay Crushing Classic by high_hunter
[Today at 12:27:18 AM]


AKC lab puppies! Born 06/10/2025 follow as they grow!!! by high_hunter
[Today at 12:21:33 AM]


Ritzville Rifle Buck - GMU 284 by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 11:49:16 PM]


Antlerless Moose more than once? by shootem
[Yesterday at 11:25:51 PM]


Nooksack Muzzleloader Bull Tag by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:42:24 PM]


2025 Draw Results by kramman
[Yesterday at 10:27:20 PM]


My wife drew quality deer DESERT rifle 10/18-10/26!!!!! by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:17:15 PM]


Palouse buck deer by blumtnelkndeer
[Yesterday at 10:14:00 PM]


Drew Quality by Jimmer
[Yesterday at 09:34:00 PM]


Nevada guide draw Mule Deer by Beastmonger1987
[Yesterday at 09:33:34 PM]


Quality Swakane by Rainier10
[Yesterday at 09:09:17 PM]


Son drawn - Silver Dollar Youth Any Elk - Help? by VickGar
[Yesterday at 09:06:22 PM]


Observatory quality bull rifle by buglebuster
[Yesterday at 09:00:02 PM]


Anterless 1334 muzzle loader by Bdawg
[Yesterday at 08:46:31 PM]


A little Martini Cadet varmint rifle I have been working on by JDHasty
[Yesterday at 08:43:33 PM]


Pogue Quality by geauxtigers
[Yesterday at 08:38:35 PM]


Bow mount trolling motors by Happy Gilmore
[Yesterday at 08:06:18 PM]


2025 OILS! by HUNTNORTHWEST
[Yesterday at 07:46:27 PM]


A question for any FFL holders on here by Knocker of rocks
[Yesterday at 07:34:49 PM]


Last year putting in… by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 07:25:41 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal