July 2020 • Nebraskaland 29
What's the most challenging aspect of shooting at a
fl ying target?
GP: The most challenging aspects are keeping your eye on
the target and not the barrel of the shotgun, and seeing how
much lead is needed to kill birds moving at diff erent speeds –
whether it be a fl ushing bird such as a pheasant or quail, or
shooting at a crossing bird such as a duck or goose.
Is there a certain skill that new students fi nd most
diffi cult to master?
GP: Every shooter is diff erent, but I often fi nd that people
don't trust their own hand-eye coordination, which will
cause them to look at the barrel of the shotgun instead of
focusing on the target.
People also have trouble keeping their head down on the
gun, and then fi nally getting into position and mounting
before shooting. By practicing during the off -season, you
learn to trust yourself. You need to trust your lead hand. If
you're a right-handed shooter, your lead hand is your left
hand, and vice versa. Trust that hand and follow with your
eye to lock in and pull away from the target to make a clean
shot.
How can an instructor help to improve a hunter's
technique versus them practicing solo?
GP: A shooting instructor will help you pick out and fi x
problems that you didn't even know you had. They can help
simplify your movements and help you understand what
moves to make in diff erent situations. They will also teach
you how to stand during hold points and break points of a
clay target. Practicing by yourself and not understanding
what you're doing wrong or why you are missing will lead
you to develop bad habits. And for young shooters, it's best
to start with an instructor so that doesn't happen. After a
few lessons on clay targets, most people fi nd that when they
go hunting, the skills that they learned will automatically
happen when a bird fl ushes.
How does a hunter or shooter get connected with an
instructor?
GP: You can find an instructor through the National
Sporting Clays Association or the National Skeet Shooting
Association websites. Or contact your local shooting range,
and they should be able to connect you with someone. If not,
contact me at 402-699-2317, and I will be able to provide
lessons or help you get connected with an instructor in your
area.
Shooting coach Greg Preston of Omaha instructing student Jager Leichleiter of Tekamah at a trap range in Blair.
