Upland wingshooting tips?

Slaymoar

Slaymoar

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Ontario
I've been out hunting for the great wingshot challenge that is southern Ontario grouse hunting.. So far I am like 0-20... grouse are destroying me.

I carry my shotgun at the ready, but I also try to carry it shouldered but with barrel lowered. My arms just die off so early and I end up stopping and resting every 5-10 minutes or so. Maybe I am doing it wrong.. maybe its my office job making my arms puny.. lol I don't know but these birds are flying off and giving me MAYBE 0.75 second window to pull the trigger. By the time I pull the trigger I usually don't have a proper cheek weld because I don't have the gun shouldered properly from the ready. The thing is they don't fly across like a clay, they fly up maybe 5 feet then disappear behind cover really fast in some advanced contour flying maneuver and I have no idea if they went straight and 100 yards, or turned and flew somewhere else.. pretty frustrating.

Also when pointing the shotgun, some people say both eyes open - I am not sure how to use this method. I find myself partially shutting my other eye to have the bead in line with the rib.

But to end on a good note, its not the shotgun - its me lol... I patterned my shotgun (Winchester SXP) and it shoots like a champ. I can quickly acquire a target and make holes exactly where I point. I can bust clays 20/25 with the shotgun shouldered / mod choke - but I only take the late cresting shots.

Got my first bunny this weekend too - not when it was running, but once it sat still - NO problems hahaha... this is how I feel right now -> :bangHead:
 
Carry the shotgun down. Be alert and ready. Practice bringing the gun up smoothly. I like to do this in a room and focus on a ceiling corner as the target. I also am not facing the corner....try to get used to swinging as the gun is rising. Focus on the target, not barrel or bead. It's better with two eyes, but one can work. Just make sure you don't have any cross dominance eye issues.

And finally, that is grouse hunting! Yes, you can pick them off a tree branch pretty easily but it's a whole other story wingshooting. Good luck.

Edit to add: Re-read your post. If you want to shoot trap or skeet because that's what you want to do, shoulder the gun. If, on the other hand, you use it to practice for hunting, ALWAYS shoot from the gun down position.

When I go, I always shoot one of my SxS and I always shoot gun down. The other guys on the squad usually think I'm nuts but they aren't hunters.
 
If it is not the gun and not the shells it must be bird fever.when the bird flushes try looking ahead at were the bird may pass threw a opening point the gun in the direction instead if trying to follow the bird.
 
You have picked one of the most difficult wingshooting challenges! Study proper gun mount, ( move, mount, shoot) Foot position, bringing gun up to cheek &shoulder smoothly and consistently, then shooting with proper swing and lead. Practise by shooting skeet with a low gun, mounting only when you see the target you have called for. Muscle memory from skeet will help with the birds. Good Luck!
 
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You need to work on your mount. Carry the gun at port arms, muzzle raised but below your line of sight. When ready to shoot, physically point at the target with your lead hand. Your trigger hand raises the butt to your shoulder. Move your lead hand first, trigger hand second, and your head not at all. You should shoot with both eyes open, but from what you're saying you may have a cross-dominance problem. If you're shooting at crossing birds, you should start tracking the bird with the muzzle, as the gun is on it's way to your shoulder.

You can practice your mount at home. Pick a spot on the wall, keep your eyes fixed on it, and raise the gun to your shoulder. After some practice, if your gun fits decently, you should find the gun pointing where you look. You can also practice your swing at home. Find a straight line, such as a roof line, the eaves, or juncture between wall and ceiling; Pretend a bird is flying along this line, raise the gun, and track the edge of the line with the muzzle. Doing this will smooth out your swing and let you know if you're slashing through the line of flight rather than following it smoothly.
 
Southern Ontario grouse are hard to hit! They flush way ahead of you giving you a split second to mount and fire if conditions are safe. I got one 2 weeks ago - first one in 12 years!! Had it pinned against an old fence line and she flushed straight ahead of me on a path. Perhaps try bringing a partner or dog if you can. I never mount my gun to my shoulder while walking, either up or down. Walk...flush...mount...fire...repeat.

Good Luck!
RB
 
You have to practice getting the gun up fast, out ahead of the bird, and getting a shot off. Waiting for the perfect shot will never come. Don't handicap yourself with more than IC choke. Look for bird coverts that are a bit more open, giving you more chance.
Has already been said - you are trying some of the more difficult wing-shooting that is out there.
Good luck. When you do succeed it will be a great triumph.
 
Sounds like you are shooting where they were instead of where they are. Keep your cool, take your time and make sure your gun shoots where you are looking. Don't concentrate on the bead it is only a reference.
 
canvasback said:
Haha, I hate when my dog is mad at me.
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She deserves better... she busted cover for hours and her poor schnozzle is all scratched up from raspberry thickets... I can tell she's thinking that we should have stayed home and watched a Big Bang Theory marathon.
 
We hunt very similar terrain to what the OP describes. We are having a good bird year so when I miss (regularly) it is not long for another chance. That makes it easier to accept the misses. You are seeing birds, excellent. Some very sound advice on technique already given. I will add this: I miss way more than I hit and I have been doing this for a long time. Wingshooting is a very demanding pursuit. It is way more fun with a dog and your chances increase exponentially but realize this is not for everybody. When you finally nail one it will be worth it. The sun just came out so I am off to scare some chickens. Good Luck.
 
Don't Think too much, If you think you'll miss. Don't Aim just point. It must be natural the more instinctive it will be the more bird in the bag there will be.

Also when pointing the shotgun, some people say both eyes open - I am not sure how to use this method. I find myself partially shutting my other eye to have the bead in line with the rib.
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There is your problem. You have to pratice in your house ''EMPTY GUN for sure'' to bring the gun both eyes shut and mount your gun like you would be ready to shoot. When you open your open you eye the bead should be lined up. If not you got to find the position that put the bead lined up when you open you eyes. After that pratice the same mounting day after day to have this move natural. Maybe you don't put you gun at your cheek enough or whatever.. You got to find it.

Everytime I think I miss and remerber you can't aim.
 
Another thing that you can work on is following up on the flushed bird.
After you miss go after it. Watch its direction of flight, use your eyes to scan the tree branches and look for movement or a part of the bird as you slowly stalk.
Most times the bird does not go far, once they are in a tree they feel safe from natural predators and will most likely hang tight... until you get too close.

The birds that scamper through the thick stuff I find are the hardest to get. Or if you want to shoot birds as they watch you in the tree go to Northern Ontario. I shot a pile of them with my .22 when I was up north moose hunting. This year I got a hat trick standing in the same spot.
 
cosmic said:
Here is an excellent excuse to pick up a lighter gun - a nice little 28 g O/U would fit the bill nicely.
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^This is exactly why I own an older M37 Ithaca Featherlight in 20 gauge and one SKB O/U also in 20 bore.

Am seriously considering importing from the USA the long discontinued M37 Ithaca Ultralight with an aluminum receiver, also in 20 gauge.
 
Carry the gun in the "ready" position (butt down, barrels up) with 2 hands on it as much as possible. There will be many instances when your hands will be busy pushing aside branches, but get 2 hands back on the gun ASAP. Learn to use your elbows to push aside brush. They key is to be ready for a flush all the time. When the bird does flush, get ahead of it fast (you don't need much lead) and TAKE THE SHOT, even if its obscured by branches. If you wait a clear shot, you'll rarely find it in the grouse woods. Remember, you're sending a swarm of pellets at the bird, they will get through. Stop and pause for 10-20 seconds frequently (it unnerves grouse) then be ready for a flush the split second you move. When you get a flush, be ready for a 2nd or 3rd bird to get up, sometimes immediately, sometimes several seconds apart.

(NB: I speak as a flushing dog owner)
 
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Also when pointing the shotgun, some people say both eyes open - I am not sure how to use this method. I find myself partially shutting my other eye to have the bead in line with the rib.
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When wing shooting, are you trying to use the bead to aim?
 
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