Sky-busting

[SnowDog]

In this case the shots were 100+ yards, the hunters did not have any deeks out, and they were just standing at the side of a field that was being actively worked by several upland hunters. This was a pheasant release site.

I did tell them what they were doing was questionable at best and suggested they would have better luck if they were to deploy the deeks they had with them, and try a spot without an army of "men in orange" running around.

just my 


Cheers!
SD

[jackelope]

my fairly confident guess is that most guys won't hit a very predictable clay bird at 50-60 yards especially from a tower, nevermind a fairly unpredictable real live bird at  the same distance. Sky blasting never made much sense to me. It's nice to see I'm not alone.

[h2ofowlr]

my fairly confident guess is that most guys won't hit a very predictable clay bird at 50-60 yards especially from a tower, nevermind a fairly unpredictable real live bird at  the same distance. Sky blasting never made much sense to me. It's nice to see I'm not alone.

Practice, practice, practice.  That's the ticket.  Most guys that may get out probably shoot at hand thrown birds or an otter ground thrower.  Hit the sporting clay courses that's the best training or shoot several 5 gallon bucks worth of shotgun shells per season.   

[Spuddieselwwu]

I hunted that snoqualmie property a few times last year and out at crescent lake over the past few years- won't do it anymore.  Too many r-tard's out there skybusting, setting up too close, calling (very poorly) ducks that are working my spread... I know that happens at most public places- but those units are too damn small for the amount of pressure it gets (especially early in the season). Sucks but if you want a quality hunt in that area- best to start knocking on some farmers doors. 

[CP]

my fairly confident guess is that most guys won't hit a very predictable clay bird at 50-60 yards especially from a tower, nevermind a fairly unpredictable real live bird at  the same distance. Sky blasting never made much sense to me. It's nice to see I'm not alone.

Taking a chip out of a clay at 50-60 yards isn’t the same thing as putting a solid kill hit on a bird at that same distance.  Chipped clay = wounded bird. 

Shooting clays is good for helping one know his limitations but the clay is losing speed and altitude at that distance while a bird is usually picking up speed and altitude, not to mention changing directions.

[Special T]

I find that  decoying birds has more to do with getting away from the general public crowds.. Go mid week of find some little place that is harder to access than the others. 

[Dustin07]

my blue snow that i got mounted from Missouri was a 65+ yard shot that I led by about 2-3 goose lengths to drop him. it was blue bird skies, mile high geese, -16F temp with snow on the ground and a bored guide that said shoot at everything that passes and lead by 6ft, LOL.

that said I usually walk out about 40 yards for my furthest decoy and try to create landing zones inside of 20. I like them to be so close I can 'see the whites of their eyes'. 

[h2ofowlr]

[/quote]

Taking a chip out of a clay at 50-60 yards isn’t the same thing as putting a solid kill hit on a bird at that same distance.  Chipped clay = wounded bird. 

Shooting clays is good for helping one know his limitations but the clay is losing speed and altitude at that distance while a bird is usually picking up speed and altitude, not to mention changing directions.

[/quote]

More practice if your only chipping them.  You should be able to dust them at 50-60 yards.  Even shooting clays 10 yards behind the 27 yard line that places you 65+ yards from the bird.
If it's a duck.  Make the first shot count.  Don't waste a 2nd or 3rd shell.   

[jackelope]

Any of you guys are welcome at Seattle Skeet and Trap next time there's a sporting clays shoot there.
I can post on here if anyone's interested. It's in Ravensdale.

[Caseyd]

Any of you guys are welcome at Seattle Skeet and Trap next time there's a sporting clays shoot there.
I can post on here if anyone's interested. It's in Ravensdale.

We should have a Hunting Washington shooting day

[jackelope]

I could put that together. My stepdad runs the sporting clays stuff there and designed the new course. They are hosting the Washington State Sporting Clays championships next June.
Thats another thread though.

[h2ofowlr]

I would be interested.  I should have my new Krieghoff by then.  Hopefully.

[ICEMAN]

I need this training. I miss way too many birds.....

[Special T]

I hate sky busters as much as anyone else... That said i have launched steel out there and not hit crap.... Then again i did it bye myself... Didn't hurt anyone just my pocket book!  I agree with Spuddeiselwwu that it is a factor in overcrowding... that "Sky-busting" might be their only shooting for the day....  Mainly because they have not put the time in... if you put the time in you tend to do better... and have better areas to hunt. 

[Tealer]

my fairly confident guess is that most guys won't hit a very predictable clay bird at 50-60 yards especially from a tower, nevermind a fairly unpredictable real live bird at  the same distance. Sky blasting never made much sense to me. It's nice to see I'm not alone.

I am a feet down kinda guy, but I have won money shooting from the 40yd line. It can be done but most don't try the just pop of rounds at any thing.