Tom Knapp on picking your target

[CP]

Interesting advice from the expert.  It goes solidly against my “make sure you get one policy”.  I like to pick the easiest target and try to ignore all others keeping all my focus and all my shots on that one bird until it is down, down, down with no chance of getting back up.  Only then do I look for a second target, but usually I just reload.

Waterfowl can present some of the most challenging targets in the sky. My following suggestions can help you become more proficient at choosing the correct target first when trying to set yourself up for those elusive doubles or triples. Of course there are many factors and variables (such as the habits of various waterfowl species) that can spoil even my tactics. I’ll start with the more predictable specie of the Mallard Duck. As a flock of Mallards approach your decoys, they are usually changing places with one another faster than a sheeny shuffles walnut shells. This is NOT the time to be choosing your first shot, in hopes of harvesting multiple green-heads. Many of us have had the experience of firing our first shot on their approach, only to cause the gliding ducks into their only course of escape, which is usually a deliberate wing-flapping steady flight upwards, revealing a much more rewarding display. Rather than throwing the first (of your three shots) away, I prefer to let myself be seen and perhaps give out a shout in order to flare the ducks into the aforementioned escape route. At that time, TIME is of the essence. We all know that shooting with both eyes open is safer but learning to shoot with both eyes makes it easier to use your peripheral vision to locate and identify your second (and even third) target while paying attention to your first, all WITHOUT a blink of an eye.

The excitement that is generated by a flock of committed mallards tends to make the hunter try to choose his (or her) expected shots on the flock’s approach. Too many times I have heard the story of 3 shots fired and not even a cripple hitting the water. Of course adrenalin goes hand in hand with excitement. Have you ever been in the blind when the leader of the group calls the shot by Screaming…TAKE’EM…with enough volume to where the shock waves of his voice compresses your foam ear plugs so far into your ear canals that it takes a pair of medical forceps to remove them? I’ve seen this behavior cause a chain reaction of safety clicking, coffee spilling, fumbling, babbling, trigger bending idiots. (I fell prey to this scenario more times than I care to share). This is the moment where one must think, rather that react. This particular leader actually set the stage for you to calmly take your shooting position and choose your “Pre-flared” targets in a deliberate manner.

Once the flock has started their accent, they don’t usually do a lot of bobbing or weaving like they do when they’re coming in. Even though there may be a hen or two between the drakes, the brilliant green head of the drake is fairly easy to see. Here’s where your self control comes in. When trying to shoot doubles or triples, many of us tend to think that the lead target will become too far away, too soon. We tend to try for the target that will be the first to leave our shooting window, and then come back to the target that WAS closer. This becomes very awkward because you’re moving your gun BACK to a target that’s moving FORTH. Here’s what works for me… if the ducks are moving upward, choose the lowest (or bottom) green head. Two eyed shooting is a must because you need your peripheral vision to see the green head that is above. By shooting the lower target first, this creates a comfortable follow-through lead for your second shot, and then the third if it applies to your particular circumstance. This method works the same even if the ducks are moving latterly. Shoot the trailing duck first and then swing through the duck in front, causing a natural swing through movement. Many sporting clay courses offer similar target presentations where you can practice this until it becomes a natural thought process.

[Dustin07]

i agree with him, and he's right about that point at which they do become an easier target.

[ducksdoom12]

i dont agree with the shoot the birds in the back part, the majority of misses are because the shooter shot behind the bird, if you shoot at the lead bird and shoot behind him, u still have a chance at killing one of the following birds. and it only takes half a sec. of slowing down your swing to let the rest of the birds catch to continue your normal, natural swing.

[h2ofowlr]

This is how I have been taught to shoot as well.  Unless it shows a collar or jewelery then I target that one.  I usually pick one in the middle or closest and follow the birds up in a even swinging motion.  It makes for better shots, less cripples and more birds down.  I had many triples last season.  Shortest hunt lasting about 10 minutes with 7 greenheads and 7 shots.  Somedays have to be quick hunts so, it doesn't interfer with work.

[Tealer]

i dont agree with the shoot the birds in the back part, the majority of misses are because the shooter shot behind the bird, if you shoot at the lead bird and shoot behind him, u still have a chance at killing one of the following birds. and it only takes half a sec. of slowing down your swing to let the rest of the birds catch to continue your normal, natural swing.

That is a backward way to look at it. If you start in the back you get roughly the same opportunities with all 3 shoots, as far as quality shoots. Shooting at the lead bird because you know your going to miss behind is just masking the problem, and it is a good way to shoot the wrong birds. You should be able able to pick a bird and drop it out of the flock, not shoot hoping to hit something if your off target.

[Dustin07]

Shortest hunt lasting about 10 minutes with 7 greenheads and 7 shots.  Somedays have to be quick hunts so, it doesn't interfer with work.

LOL git 'er dun. 

[ducksdoom12]

i dont agree with the shoot the birds in the back part, the majority of misses are because the shooter shot behind the bird, if you shoot at the lead bird and shoot behind him, u still have a chance at killing one of the following birds. and it only takes half a sec. of slowing down your swing to let the rest of the birds catch to continue your normal, natural swing.

That is a backward way to look at it. If you start in the back you get roughly the same opportunities with all 3 shoots, as far as quality shoots. Shooting at the lead bird because you know your going to miss behind is just masking the problem, and it is a good way to shoot the wrong birds. You should be able able to pick a bird and drop it out of the flock, not shoot hoping to hit something if your off target.

nobody, no matter how good of a shot u are, is going to always make the shot, even if its an easy shot, unless u already have ur limit on hens its a good way to pick up extra birds when u start thinking to much and stop "just shooting". and I have only crippled 3 birds when i have hit a bird behind the one i was shooting at. because the majority of the time u hit that bird in the head. on days when ur shooting like crap (everyone has those days) it works wonders on helping u get back into shooting form.
but yes agreed that u should be able to pick a bird and drop it, but it does not always work out that way.