Bird Hunting: Wingshooting’s 7 Deadly Sins

Avoid these bad habits to hit more birds.

1. Losing Focus

To be successful in bird hunting, you must stay focused on the bird throughout the shot. If your eyes bounce from the bead to the target, you’ll interrupt the swing of the gun and miss. Keep your eyes on the target to keep the gun moving and improve your wingshooting performance.

2. Bad Gun Mount

When mounting the gun, bring the stock to your face—don’t drop your head to the stock. If the recoil pad snags on your clothing, practice pushing the gun out slightly with your arms before bringing it back into your shoulder. Keep your cheek welded to the stock, and move your whole upper body when swinging the gun.

3. Not Finding the Bird Early Enough

Neither clay targets nor wild birds give you much time to react, so learn to pick your target up quickly. When bird hunting, pick one bird out of a covey and remain focused instead of being distracted by many wings in motion.

4. Poorly Positioned Feet

The best shotgun stance requires stability and mobility. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, the front foot slightly forward, and your weight leaning in. A balanced stance gives you better control and smoother swings during wingshooting sessions.

5. Squeezing the Gun

A relaxed hold ensures a smooth swing. Grip the shotgun as if holding an egg—firm but gentle. Tension causes jerky movements and missed shots, especially when hunting fast-moving birds like doves.

6. Becoming a Slave to Sustained Lead

Sustained lead can be tricky for moving targets. Instead, use the swing-through method: keep the gun moving, catch the bird, and fire as you pass it. This technique often yields more natural and accurate results in bird hunting.

7. Not Following Through

This is the golden rule: always keep the muzzle moving after you shoot. Follow through even if you miss. This prevents lifting your head too early and helps maintain consistency for future shots.

Don’t Make These 5 Etiquette Mistakes at the Range

• Keep your action open until you’re ready to shoot.
• Don’t waste time loading shells when it’s your turn to shoot.
• Avoid fiddling with gear during shooting rounds.
• Be respectful—don’t talk while others are shooting.
• Stay positive. Shooting sports are meant to be fun!

Ready to Put Your Wingshooting Skills to the Test?

Now that you know the seven deadly sins of bird hunting, it’s time to experience the best dove hunting in Argentina. Explore our exclusive hunting packages and enjoy world-class wingshooting with C&C Outfitters.

Source: by Brad Fitzpatrick