14 Nebraskaland • November 2020
'Tis the wingshooter's favorite time of the year. With
quail, pheasant and waterfowl seasons open, why
wouldn't it be? Keep these tips in mind this month:
Know the loads you're shooting. Pellet count,
energy and velocity are big deals when wingshooting.
The more you know about what you're firing from your
gun, the better you can make adjustments when you're
afield. It's much easier to diagnose your problems of the
day when you know what loads you're firing.
Shoot the same gun. Being comfortable with a gun
never hurts. I've seen seasoned hunters shoot a 50-year-
old Remington 1100 much better than their younger
contemporaries shooting the latest and greatest. The
main reason: that old timer has been shooting that same
1100 for 50 years.
High dollar doesn't mean high success. I've
been hunting for more than 35 years and have been
at Nebraskaland Magazine for nearly 15 years. I've
photographed hunters of all skill levels and pocketbook
sizes, and not one time have I come home after an upland
or waterfowl hunt and thought the hunter's high-dollar
gun or shells were the reasons why they shot so well.
The price of shotgun shells varies dramatically, from
a few dollars a box for lead field loads to more than $40
a box for some waterfowl loads. Again, find what works
for you by researching and journaling, and pay attention
to the ballistics numbers on the box instead of the price
tag beside it.
Shoot. I stayed away from sporting clay ranges for
years because I was under the impression that because
the clays slowed down each second they flew, it would
hinder me when shooting at birds that never slowed
down in the air. I was wrong. What a really good sporting
clay course can reveal is what shots you consistently
miss, and which ones you should be looking for when
hunting. Plus, it allows you to shoot that same gun over
and over, becoming more comfortable with each pull of
the trigger.
Shoot With Good Shots. I think one of the greatest
attributes to my shooting skills is being on dove fields
as a kid with guys who shot well. Watching birds fall
around me, then picking up a .410 for the first time and
going 2 for 50 made me realize I had a lot of work to do.
To this day, shooting beside a good shooter makes me up
my game, helping me limit my shots to birds in killing
range and making sure every shot counts.
FIVE WINGSHOOTING TIPS
By Jeff Kurrus
IN THE FIELD
PHOTO
BY
JENNY
NGUYEN-WHEATLEY