In the world of outdoor writing there are a range of personalities (and egos) at play in every media format. Follow any one publication long enough and you'll develop a bit of a feel for the writer, his quirks, and passions. Everyone has their favorites. Mention the dispute between Elmer Keith and Jack O'Connor in elk camp and you're sure to raise someone's ire. Yet, despite this shotgun writers seems as a whole a bit more congenial. If you read someone like Gene Hill you can't help but feel the cockles of your heart warm. Likewise, when you are turning pages graced by Gordon MacQuarrie, Burton Spiller, or Nash Buckingham the gentility and nostalgia are encompassing. Even today, when I read an article by Field & Stream's Phil Bourjaily I couldn't help but think to myself, "He has got to be an alright guy."
It doesn't hurt that I frequently agree with Mr. Bourjaily either. Take, for instance, his most recent article published on Field & Stream's blog, "Dove Grant: Spend $50 on Skeet, Nail More Doves Opening Day." This article isn't rife with the romanticism of early wingshooting writers, but it gets at an important point lost on many sportsmen:
We owe it to our quarry to make the most lethal shots possible and to reduce crippling.
Phil's article suggests that by shooting four rounds of skeet prior to dove season that you can considerable improve your performance on opening day. The sad fact is that many sportsmen would balk at carving out a piece of their paycheck to spend on practicing shotgunnery. Studies suggest that on average the American dove hunter will expend 5-7 shells per dove. Let's call a spade a spade here folks---that is lousy! That amounts to (at most) about five birds per box of shells. Frankly, if I only managed to kill five birds with a box of shells I would be plain embarrassed. In fact, my hunting buddies would probably cut my shirt tails off.
What's a guy to do? Shoot! The suggestion of shooting a few rounds of skeet is a good one. However, my recommendation would be to find a local sporting clays course and take up residence there once a week for the three weeks prior to dove season. Although skeet simulates dove hunting well, sporting clays provides a greater variety of shots and ultimately leads to a more well-rounded wingshooter. Furthermore, sporting clays courses also put you out in nature more than skeet ranges, which are often simple concrete pads sandwiched between two towers.
Two weeks ago I shot my first round of sporting clays in far too long. I tallied 34 of 50 birds presented--not a great score but not an utter meltdown. I found that my favorite station at my local course had been changed dramatically. This didn't help my score, but it help me to realize that I was becoming dependent on my familiarity with the course to shoot well. A week later I returned to the same course and shot 40 of 50 birds. That's a marked improvement and an indication that I am not going to expend 7 shells per bird come September 1st. Had I not fatefully decided to change chokes on one station I would have likely shot considerably better than that. Tomorrow, I hit the course once again and am hoping to bust at least 42 targets.
What does all of this cost? It depends largely on your local course and which shotshells you are using. Assuming non-premium target ammunition, I would expect to pay around $32 for a round of sporting clays (50 targets) and two boxes of shells. Do this three times and your performance will be astounding in comparison to the unpracticed hordes. Considering the little time each of us gets to spend in the field and our duty to humanely harvest game, $96 is a paltry investment.
To really take your shotgunnery to the next level, I recommend these resources:
Breaking Clays: Target Tactics, Tips & Techniques by Chris Batha ($13 used)
Clay Coach Online - Chris Batha (Free video instruction via Youtube)
National Shooting Sports Foundation - Gil Ash (Free video instruction via Youtube)
