Whats your most difficult shooting skill to master?

[adk hunter]

Jump shooting whitetails.
Dam things explode and I'm almost always on the trigger too soon.
Some guys I know think they are great shots in the woods but their buck pole sure is empty a lot.
I've made some terrific shots. Not enough to rule out luck for sure!

Canyon winds have got to be the top 9/10 and I have only had one time with an animal in the scope. He walked away but I taught my son what being a sportsman is really all about.

 

[C-130 Dude]

Also shows mastery of nerves - I have a lot of trophies on the fireplace mantel in PHX but it took a while to master the nerves problem - and standing was worst. Competitive shooting does cure buck fever however.

I don't think you can cure it, but maybe manage it. At best .

 

[C-130 Dude]

So if i would bet you $100 that you couldnt hit a 5 gallon bucket 5 shots in a row offhand at 86 yards would you take the bet?

Dont be a fool, for sure you would miss the last one. lol

As for wind calls in mountainous terrain, you are exactly correct.
There can be wind from multable directions happening at the same time.
And if there is a large stream in the valley, there could be strong thermals as well.
Other wise, how do those large heavy birds stay aloft without flapping their wings?
But there is one remedy that always works pretty well.
Its called a sighter shot.
First round misses work o k as well.

Can't take a sighter shot when your hunting.

 

[Brad Quarnberg]

Jump shooting whitetails.
Dam things explode and I'm almost always on the trigger too soon.
Some guys I know think they are great shots in the woods but their buck pole sure is empty a lot.
I've made some terrific shots. Not enough to rule out luck for sure!

Canyon winds have got to be the top 9/10 and I have only had one time with an animal in the scope. He walked away but I taught my son what being a sportsman is really all about.

Shooting at running game is a skill for sure. The Germans (actually most European hunters) are required to show proficiency on running targets in order to participate in driven hunts. The have shooting cinema's (large screen with specialty ammo to shoot that is very close to factory speeds etc.) with all kinds of terrain and animals they can run on the screen. A proctor runs and scores the shoot and if you are deemed proficient you get a certificate. Most ranges also have running boar/deer target setups, and you also can get certified through those ranges. In some cases, you have to show proficiency from a stand and from the ground.
They take this very seriously and usually shoot year-round. The group I hunted with got together every month or so to shoot at the cinema (winter) or at the local outdoor range. The proctors were also master class shooters and were there to assist in teaching the skill to newbies. The German hunting course was intense with shooting every weekend for three months and a final shooting course after you passed the written test, the verbal exam (administered by State Certified German Professional hunters) and included trap, skeet, rolling rabbit, standing supported, standing unsupported and prone supported.
I wish we had ranges and cinemas like they have over there, her in the US: I'd definitely go every week like I did there.
I know my running game shot is a little rusty, but I'll work on that this winter by hunting rabbits with my bolt action 22.

 

[bamban]

Shooting at running game is a skill for sure. The Germans (actually most European hunters) are required to show proficiency on running targets in order to participate in driven hunts. The have shooting cinema's (large screen with specialty ammo to shoot that is very close to factory speeds etc.) with all kinds of terrain and animals they can run on the screen. A proctor runs and scores the shoot and if you are deemed proficient you get a certificate. Most ranges also have running boar/deer target setups, and you also can get certified through those ranges. In some cases, you have to show proficiency from a stand and from the ground.
They take this very seriously and usually shoot year-round. The group I hunted with got together every month or so to shoot at the cinema (winter) or at the local outdoor range. The proctors were also master class shooters and were there to assist in teaching the skill to newbies. The German hunting course was intense with shooting every weekend for three months and a final shooting course after you passed the written test, the verbal exam (administered by State Certified German Professional hunters) and included trap, skeet, rolling rabbit, standing supported, standing unsupported and prone supported.
I wish we had ranges and cinemas like they have over there, her in the US: I'd definitely go every week like I did there.
I know my running game shot is a little rusty, but I'll work on that this winter by hunting rabbits with my bolt action 22.

Like this guy?

 

[C-130 Dude]

Shooting at running game is a skill for sure. The Germans (actually most European hunters) are required to show proficiency on running targets in order to participate in driven hunts. The have shooting cinema's (large screen with specialty ammo to shoot that is very close to factory speeds etc.) with all kinds of terrain and animals they can run on the screen. A proctor runs and scores the shoot and if you are deemed proficient you get a certificate. Most ranges also have running boar/deer target setups, and you also can get certified through those ranges. In some cases, you have to show proficiency from a stand and from the ground.
They take this very seriously and usually shoot year-round. The group I hunted with got together every month or so to shoot at the cinema (winter) or at the local outdoor range. The proctors were also master class shooters and were there to assist in teaching the skill to newbies. The German hunting course was intense with shooting every weekend for three months and a final shooting course after you passed the written test, the verbal exam (administered by State Certified German Professional hunters) and included trap, skeet, rolling rabbit, standing supported, standing unsupported and prone supported.
I wish we had ranges and cinemas like they have over there, her in the US: I'd definitely go every week like I did there.
I know my running game shot is a little rusty, but I'll work on that this winter by hunting rabbits with my bolt action 22.

I remember how stringent the rules there are. I tried to go hunting there in the late 70's when I was stationed there. After the room stopped laughing, the rod and gun club license manager told me I should have started the license process 6 months prior. I really wish the US had some sort of training like they require. It would have prepared me in ways that none have.

 

[Brad Quarnberg]

Like this guy?

Exactly like him!! Met him at a hunting show in Germany: down to earth and he's crazy good on running targets as are a lot of the Europeans who do driven hunts.
Aim Point has a kit you can get (only in Europe last I talked to them), that uses a computer, VR headset and special rifle, that allows you to practice shots on running game like you're in a shooting cinema.
I really wish they'd export it to the US. I got a feeling when I talked to Aim Point it was not allowed in the US because of some law enacted back after WW2, but not 100% sure and they wouldn't elaborate.

 

[bamban]

In the school do they emphasize tracking/leading method or ambush type on running targets?

 

[Brad Quarnberg]

Side note on Franz-Albrecht, he shoots a 270 win on almost all of the driven hunts he goes on, and his guns have a break to further reduce recoil allowing him to quickly get on the next target.

 

[SSG Graybush]

What is the hardest thing for you to master when shooting?

Is it:
Reading wind
Cheek weld/position
Breath control
Trigger control
Sight picture
Or something else?

Let us know what is the bane of your shooting sucess. (Remember, misery loves company ).

Wind call is by far the hardest, and natural point of aim is the most overlooked.
Even with a Kestrel the shooter most be able to read a mirage/environment.
Being able to tell a 5 mph difference in wind is hard, throw in thermals, and pimping ain't easy.

 

[Brad Quarnberg]

In the school do they emphasize tracking/leading method or ambush type on running targets?

I'm not 100% sure of the terms you are using because they didn't have a word or phrase for the specific technique, but it was a swing through. They teach just like you see in the video, pick up the game in the scope, swing through and shoot as you hit the right spot, continuing the swing through the trigger pull and the shot exciting the barrel. In my experience, most of the animals I took on driven hunts, that spot was around the eye or the nose depending on distance and speed the animal was running.
Hope that answer your question.

 

[Orange Dust]

it is totally age related.
at 25 it was the wind.
at 75 now it is my own body.

all the knowledge learned and experience obtained over 60 years of hunting and shooting has run into the wall of my own physical deterioration.

Ain't that the truth. Add high blood pressure and sorry eyes to the list. High BP will turn a 1/4 minute gun into a 1 minute shooter in a hurry.

 

[Brad Quarnberg]

I remember how stringent the rules there are. I tried to go hunting there in the late 70's when I was stationed there. After the room stopped laughing, the rod and gun club license manager told me I should have started the license process 6 months prior. I really wish the US had some sort of training like they require. It would have prepared me in ways that none have.

I agree. Even if it wasn't mandatory like it is there, I think a lot of people would jump at the chance to learn not only the great shooting skills taught, but also the game meat handling/care etc. One thing I already had lots of experience with, that isn't a huge part of the course is tracking wounded animals. They don't need it because a lot of hunters or lease holders, or hunting club have access to dogs specifically trained and licensed to track wounded game.

 

[bamban]

I'm not 100% sure of the terms you are using because they didn't have a word or phrase for the specific technique, but it was a swing through. They teach just like you see in the video, pick up the game in the scope, swing through and shoot as you hit the right spot, continuing the swing through the trigger pull and the shot exciting the barrel. In my experience, most of the animals I took on driven hunts, that spot was around the eye or the nose depending on distance and speed the animal was running.
Hope that answer your question.

Thank you.

Tarcking/leading is what you described.