Has Your Shooting Style Changed Much Over The Years?

[Dr B 186]

Many of us here have been shooting for a while. I was wondering how, if at all, your shooting style has changed over the years? I'm no so much interested in changes to kit, but changes to your style. Do you stalk as much as you once did, build hides as much, are you as patient!!!!????

 

For me, its range reduction. As I've said around here many times, i tend not to take anything on beyond 35yds now - unless everything is perfect. That's a limitation i place on myself. In my prime, I've done 50yds enough times to know i was capable of it, but not now. So I try to get my quarry within 15 - 35yds if possible. I stalk just as much (you have to). I dont go 'ratting' as much as i once did, but they are not so much a problem these days on my perms.

 

I also tend to prefer shooting on my own. I used to do both, solitary and in small groups. However, too many idiots out there that I just decided I prefer to shoot on my own these days (unless taking the nephew out and introducing him to airguns).

 

So, has your approach changed over the years and if so, how?

Edited February 24, 2015 by Dr B

[secretagentmole 1,701]

I do a lot more roost shooting now!

[charlie caller 3,654]

As far as airguns are concerned probably not too much, I probably do a bit more roost/hide shooting than I used to,having said that, I still find an air rifle a very useful tool to continue to hone my stalking skills on deer, so often find myself leaving the .22rf at home and taking an air rifle after rabbits, I have always stood by the statement that if you can stalk and shoot rabbits with a none fac air rifle, then stalking into a deer @ 150yards should come naturally, also I love my spring rifles, as beleive it or not shooting a springer, is not too dissimilar to shooting my .243 fullbore, as recoil and follow through all have to be accounted for.

[The one 8,594]

I do a lot less now we used to go out 3/4 nights a week and every weekend . dont do much with the shotgun now more air rifle and the rimmy packed in the snaring and the traps only get a dusting off a couple of times a year but still do loads of ferreting . Still really like getting out once a month at work with the air rifle get a good few rabbits and a bit of banter

[pianoman 3,589]

Always prefered shooting static from laid prone alongside hedgrows or in a hide of some sort, especially for woodland shooting. I love building dens and hides by making a frame from fallen branches and covering it with scrim netting and fern. Get laid up in prone position inside and enjoy picking off rabbits and squirrels and the odd pigeon that happen along. Been shooting this way all my life really. Works foir me!

Edited February 24, 2015 by pianoman

[risingfriend 1,042]

yeah i used to proper crap shot...............now i just crap LOL i now hunt less than i did still once a week minimum but all my time was spent hunting be it from a hide or stalking. but the last year have done more HFT target shooting and have found this has a massive benefit for both range and wind estimation

[Rez 4,961]

More field shooting. I like the HFT course, but @ comps, its full of ego's and nerds using PCP's and then calling out good shot to each other.

 

My shooting has got better. When the penny drops with a spring rifle... There is nothing better.

[random 659]

My style has changed fair bit I would say,it used to be stalked standing shots from 30 ish yards,practised several times a week and worked well enough but as I've learned more and become more patient I've started to select spots giving me options on different quarry at different ranges from one place,and rarely take free standing shots now,sitting/kneeling and prone are the norm and my range has increased to around 40 yards,unless I'm lamping then its my stalked standing technique...

[Dr B 186]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I think, like a good footballer, we have to adapt with age and experience. I've certainly become more patient.

[flynndog 543]

Yeah 8 ve had to go from right handed shooting to left handed ... detached retina in right eye. I still shoot the same .. lamping or roosting off my farm buildings etc

[Dr B 186]

Wow! How long did that take to learn (shooting left-handed)? Glad you found a way to adapt.

 

My old dad is right-handed but for some mad reason, always shot a gun left handed......

[Rez 4,961]

Yeah 8 ve had to go from right handed shooting to left handed ... detached retina in right eye. I still shoot the same .. lamping or roosting off my farm buildings etc

Bet that's a mission. I'm right handed myself, but shoot left handed, and always have done due to an eye problem. I know no different now, but learning one way and swopping. It's a pretty skill man.

 

Now imagine that. The best shots are the ones that can hit the target one way and then do the same thing the other way. Bloody Ronnie O'Sullivan. If you know what I mean.

[charlie caller 3,654]

I am right handed but shoot left handed

[Rez 4,961]

And can you shoot as well both way? If you say yes, it's billy bollox

[flynndog 543]

I can see outta my right eye but bit blurry (supposed to wear glasses after it healed as much as it could)I can shoot both right and left but gotta squint like a chinese man to shoot right ... depends if I'm driving or passenger shooting outta car lol