One of the big topics in Germany coming up to the beginning of May is zeroing the rifles for the start of buck season. I don’t personally get it. As a hunter I want to make sure I don’t make a bad shot. Been there, done that! I don’t want a repeat occurrence!
I try to go to the rifle range at least once a month, and fairly regularly to the shooting cinema. For me practice is a key part of my hunting routine. When I first started hunting I did really well on my final test for shooting proficiency and was in the top of my class. (Us girls were all the best shooters). But my first hunt I didn’t think to wear hearing protection in the woods. The old hunters never do. They don’t seem to think it’s necessary. By the time they realize that they can’t hear what you are telling them, it’s too late.
Well I went out and had a successful hunt at the time guided by a good friend on his hunting property. A year later he took me out again and I had another opportunity. I flinched. Apparently shooting from a wooden box without a suppressor and no hearing protection had an impact on my shooting. I had not been to the range much in the time in between. That was a mistake. Had I gone to the range, I would have identified the issue and been able to work on it. So after the situation I made sure to have hearing protection in my bag always. And I go to the range on a regular basis. Hunting ammo is expensive, so I don’t shoot a lot. My theory is that when hunting the first shot needs to be perfect. So I always check to make sure that the shot is clean on my first shot and then take a few more for practice.
the shooting cinema is more about preparation for driven hunts. In these it’s a range but instead of a stationary target, the backstop is illuminated with videos of live animals moving as they would in the woods. This is a great option to get a feel for how fast can an animal be moving and still be shot cleanly. it is also a very different type of shooting when an animal is moving. depending on how fast the animal is moving, you have to move with it, and even shoot in front of the animal. Experimenting when you are invited to someone’s hunt is not an option. In this case, many hunts require proof that you have been to practice moving targets at least 1x per year. It’s also a lot of fun so why not. It’s cheaper than a trip to the regular movie theater.
How often do you practice. What’s your favorite shooting style. I’d love to hear your stories
