Emerging as a simulation of bird hunting recreation and ending up in full-blown sports, Trap and Skeet shooting is an enjoyable shotgun sports for hunters in the off-season. Spring and summer are the most appropriate seasons for hunting to practice shotgun skills. Trapshooting and skeet shooting are quite similar, but there is a slight difference between the two. Both hunting sports aim to shoot the moving clay targets, called “pigeons” or “birds.”
For hunters looking to keep their shooting form strong and for recreational shooters, these tips will assist you in hunting prep and polish your old skills as well. Let’s practice these tips to shoot high-flying pigeons.
1. Target Focused Approach and a Winning Mindset
A clear mind without any ambiguity is the first step to success. So to get complete control in shotgun, you have to clear up the space in your mind to focus on the target. This will help establish reflexive movements for proper stance, gun mount, and shoot. The key to winning is committing the essentials of shooting (gun mount, stance, and swing) to the memory. Practice these key elements frequently, wipe out all the distractions from the mind and focus on the target. This focus-oriented approach will develop a rhythm and rhythm that will help you break more birds. This approach will also boost your confidence level and enhances your winning chances.
2. COMFORTABLE ATTIRE
Let’s discuss the appropriate choices for clothing to be worn during trap and skeet sports. Clothing helps you to feel comfortable and relaxed and protects you from divergence.
Avoid tightly fitted clothes instead; use flexible and comfortable clothes because tightly fitted clothes constrict body movements. Dress up according to the weather conditions because you have to spend much of your time outdoors. Use sunscreen for skin protection and mosquito repellents when visiting a humid environment.
3. CHOICE OF SHOOTING BOOTS
Trap and skeet shooting is a brilliant individual and team sport whether you are a beginner or a keen shooter. You need sturdy and supportive footwear for shooting, no matter the weather. As your success is dependent on your stance in a gunshot event, likewise, your stance is dependent on your footwear. If you have comfortable shoes, your stance while shooting will be steady, and your movements will be reflexive. So, you need a pair of waterproof shooting boots with a durable sole.
In wet weather, wellingtons are the ideal choice; the Le Chameau Vierzonord Wellington Boots are perfect. Use a dual-density sole that offers all-terrain traction and abrasion resistance. If it’s warmer, use a sturdy pair of trainers or walking boots.
4. KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WEAPON
A skeet shooter’s gun is a double-barreled shotgun. The strength and range of the gun are not important to break more pigeons; instead, keeping open chokes will help to hit the target more often.
Moreover, use a lighter load to prevent the shooter from getting recoil sensitive. A professional and dedicated shooter has to go through multiple rounds during trap and skeet shooting. This will decrease the energy of the shell with a lighter gun. For example, you can use Federal’s 2 ¾-gram or 1-ounce No. 8s.
5. SHOOTING TECHNIQUES
Trap and skeet shooting aim to hit more clay, which can’t be achieved without proper techniques and a skilled approach. In the starting position, before the gun is shouldered, the barrels must be aimed at the point at which you can attempt to intercept the launch of the clay. This will prevent unnecessary movement of the gun. Using your dominant eye will help you improve your focus on the target.
Upper body rotation is the primary movement to follow the moving targets. So, optimize and extend your upper body rotation to follow the target moving out of your focus window. Once you have learned the right movements for the gunshot, practice them to automate these movements and eliminate the unnecessary ones. This will help to break more clay.
