Question: I know you normally answer question on training bird dogs, but how about some advice on becoming a better shooter? I have a young German Short-haired Pointer, two years old, and we love to go hunting. The problem is that I'm a terrible shot. I've tried sporting clays, but can only hit ten out of fifty targets. What can I do to improve my shooting?

Walter P., Brighton.

Answer: Well, Walter, I've seen you shoot, and I agree! Sporting clays used to and can still be good practice for bird hunters. The sport originated with the idea that the bird hunters could have some off-season fun and improve their wing-shooting, using the same gun they hunt with. In the beginning, targets were thrown to stimulate real hunting situations and shots. Guns were held in a port position, meaning low gun, as when hunting, and couldn't be mounted until the target came into view. Now, let's step into today's game. High gun mount, meaning your gun is mounted on your shoulder when you call for the target, is standard practice. ‘Sporting clay' guns are all the rage. Many courses are tuned to trick shots and clay target enthusiasts offering small windows of opportunity when it comes to seeing, reacting, and shooting at targets. Many of the shots you will see on sporting clay courses today aren't good shots to take when hunting because they're poor-percentage shots that will cripple more birds than they'll kill. They five you little snap-shot openings, thus the need for a high gun mount to keep scores up. Many of the shots don't offer sufficient time to see the target, mount the gun and shoot it when using a low gun.

The clay target enthusiasts have taken over the sport. Let them go back to the mechanical sport of trap and skeet with all targets travelling at the same speed in the same predetermined direction. I wish at least some of the courses would focus on hunting shots for practicing hunters. Who cares if the clay target enthusiasts find it too easy? Tell him to use a low-mount gun. You and your friends could get together with hand-throwers and make your own sporting range. If you continue to go to the sporting clay courses, use a low-gun mount and don't be concerned with scores. Practice the shots you'll be using during the hunting season and try to skip the stations that are trick shots and double shoot the better ones.

Charlie Linblade

Mighigan Wing Shooters Hunt Club

Michigan Pheasant Hunting

Michigan Bird Dog Training