Hunting is undeniably one of the most thrilling outdoor experiences. But it’s not without its fair share of mishaps.
Most hunters would tell you that a subtle incident like a misfire can easily make you lose your quarry. And depending on how close you are to the prey and how ferocious the animal is, roles could easily be reversed with you becoming the hunted. Therefore, it’s imperative to brush up your hunting skills before hitting the woods.
In this article, we look at the seven incredible methods to hone your skills, primarily as a hunter.
1. Start with the Right Gun
There’s no shortage of weaponry that you can bring on a hunt. But every hunter is different, and what works for one person may not necessarily work for you. It’s, therefore, necessary to find a firearm that matches your size and style.
KelTec P17 is among the most recommended hunting pistols out there. This pistol holds 16+1 rounds of .22LR ammunition. It weighs less than 14 ounces, making it one of the lightest hunting guns you can ever find.
In addition to its superior magazine capacity and incredible lightweight, KelTec P17 also comes with a laser accessory rail. The pistol boasts nearly all the features every beginner hunter would find useful.
2. Choose Between a Pistol and a Rifle
Pistols and rifles are both common hunting weaponry. However, each firearm has certain features that make it either suitable or unideal for hunting. So, it’s essential to know which of the two weapons to practice with, even as you endeavor to hone your hunting skills.
The biggest advantage of pistols is that they’re lightweight. You can shoot a pistol with one hand while keeping your second hand busy in some other way.
On the other hand, a rifle needs both hands (usually also the shoulders) to operate. That said, rifles use more powerful calibers than handguns and are better suited for hunting big game.
3. Implement All Safety Precautions
It doesn’t matter whether you’re practicing at home alone or at a crowded gun range. Safety is always paramount.
The most important precaution while using firearms is to point the gun in a safe direction. The barrel should always point away from your body. This ensures you’re safe in the event of accidental discharges.
Secondly, keep your fingers off the trigger unless you’re ready to shoot. Having your finger lingering on the trigger might cause you to shoot the firearm inadvertently, causing unnecessary panic. You can only imagine what would happen if you were to pull the trigger with the barrel facing the wrong target.
Experts also recommend keeping your gun unloaded unless ready to use but always treating the weapon as loaded, nonetheless. Lastly, always consider what lies before the target before shooting your firearm.
4. Know Your Dominant Hand
Everyone has a dominant hand. Statistics indicate that between 85% and 90% of the global population is right-handed. The remaining 10% to 15% is either left-handed or ambidextrous.
Every sane person can tell their dominant hand from their non-dominant one. But when it comes to hunting, the trick usually involves knowing how to use each.
Most people shoot with their dominant hands. But according to experts, the non-dominant hand tends to be the most utilized during active shooting. That’s besides the fact that it also works in conjunction with the dominant hand to improve grip and balance.
So, while training, it’s best to put both hands to equal practice.
5. Know Your Dominant Eye Too
Just as you have a dominant and non-dominant hand, you also have a dominant and non-dominant eye. In most cases, the dominant eye (also known as the master eye) is the same as the dominant hand.
The difference is that the master eye tends to do much of the work during active shooting. That makes it the focus point while training.
Aiming with the dominant eye guarantees the most accurate shots. That’s because your master eye is more in contact with your brain than the other eye. It helps pinpoint prey’s exact location and can clue you in on when to take a shot.
But just as with your dominant hand, it’s prudent to put your both eyes into good use while practicing to shoot. Your non-dominant eye could quickly come in handy in the unfortunate event that your master eye is compromised.
6. Train with Grip Gloves
This is another invaluable tip for taking accurate shots with a handgun. Grip gloves, as the name implies, are gloves designed to increase your grip stability while shooting a firearm. These gloves are useful in helping you hold onto the weight of your gun for much longer.
Another reason to train with grip gloves is that it helps you familiarize yourself with cold-weather gloves. This can be particularly instrumental if you prefer to hunt in the dead of winter. Hands that are already used to grip gloves won’t feel out of place when you finally have to wear thicker gloves.
Expectedly, there are certain things to bear in mind when looking for the best grip gloves.
Insist on comfortable gloves which snuggly fit around your hands. Very tight gloves might cause numbness, while very loose gloves will definitely interfere with your grip.
7. Work on Your Breathing
Breathing is key to taking accurate shots. Sadly, it’s among the things many hunters skimp on while training.
Remember that your entire body moves as you breathe. That includes your arm and legs. This movement may appear subtle. But it can have significant impacts on the accuracy of your shots.
The conventional wisdom is to shoot halfway through a breath. You can do that by taking a few slow but deep breaths. Then, just before firing your gun, exhale about half of the breath, hold it, and take your shot. Note that the shot could be one or several fired in quick succession. After releasing the trigger, you can finish exhaling and continue breathing normally.
As you work on your breathing, it’s also important to establish your best shooting stance. Some hunters aim better while lying down, some while sitting, some while squatting, and others while standing up. The idea is to adept at all shooting positions.
Wrap Up
There goes our beginner’s guide to the seven effective tips for honing your skills as a shooter. Remember that, like any endeavor, constant practice makes a perfect hunter.
You simply cannot take accurate shots of prey if you’ve not had enough prior target practice. That’s regardless of the size and range of your quarry.
