56 Nebraskaland • August-September 2024
MIXED BAG
"Don't let someone else sight in your rifl e," is the advice
many new shooters hear when they buy their fi rst gun. The
main reason to take this opportunity yourself is the fun of
shooting. You bought the rifl e to squeeze the trigger, so do so.
In most other cases, said Outdoor Education Specialist and
Education Manager with Game and Parks Jeff Rawlinson,
having someone else sight-in your scope can work but it's
not ideal for all shooting. "When using a rifl e sighted in by
someone else, any consistent diff erences to the shooting
process will result in misses."
However, he added, because most shooters use consistent
techniques, the diff erences are often very small. "So this may
not be an issue for an elk hunter, but could pose a huge issue
for a squirrel hunter or target shooter in competition where
the margin for error is extremely small."
Like any other skill, continual practice will make you a
better shooter. You'll be able to fi gure out if your breathing
and other pre-shot procedures are consistent — mandatory
when shooting opportunities arise during a hunt.
For a complete list of public sight-in locations and days, visit
outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/prepare-to-hunt/sight-in-days/.
SIGHT IN YOURSELF
By Jeff Kurrus
JEFF
KURRUS,
NEBRASKALAND
