Goose and Dove hunting? I have a couple of questions?

[nick p]

First, I use an Escort Shotgun (made in Turkey). I use a modified choke in this gun. When I hunt bird, like dove and waterfowl, I miss 90 % of the time. Sometimes my shooting at the bird seems to actually move the bird while in flight, yet the bird isn't falling. What may be the problem? I'm using 7 1/2 shot. The bird''s are coming as close as any are going to come. I don't understand. I don't believe I can be that bad of a shot. TO go through 200 shells and only have one dove and one goose seems not right at all. Any suggestions?And I don't use 7 1/2 shot for the goose. Steel shot (4's).

[alleydog]

71/2 fine for dove but not waterfowl..may not even be legal..lead shot is not legal in U.S. for waterfowl..consult local hunters for shot preference...but to the missing ..you must be sure that gun fits you..the butt stock is your rear sight on your shotgun..if comb(top) of stock is too high your pattern will be high because the front of barrel will be high...you will not hit consistent until you make sure gun is hitting where you are aiming..put up large paper with about a 4 inch square in center ..pace off about 25 yards (wear coat and clothing that you hunt in so butt stock and comb will be same)aim quickly at square and fire ..repeat 3 or 4 times to get an average....if pattern is not centered or a touch high have adjusted by gunsmith...there are limits to what can be explained here but spend the money to have gun fit to you and buy a good book or lessons on wing shooting...its like this you can only improve when you can understand what you are doing wrong and right....this can take many years of trial and error or correct instruction..good luck and you can do it once you have correct equipment and advice(correct advice)

[Cope]

Dove are good at juking while being shot at, they require you to be a pretty good shot, plus make sure you lead them enough as they are a fast flier.Try using a larger shot of the geese. I assume you're shooting Canadians? 4's are great for ducks, but geese are a tough bird. Use 2's or larger and see if that helps you out.

[Ranger J6734]

OK, face it, you are a bad shot. Sorry to be so blunt, but admit it and then move on. It is a curable disease. Pattern your shotgun first. Shoot it at 20, 30, and 40 yards. Shoot a large circle (how big depends on which "expert" you listen to). A 24 inch diameter is good. You will be able to see where your pellets are hitting and what type of pattern your gun holds. Now, work on your lead. That is where you are messing up. Doves fly fast, so you may need to adjust for that after you get the basics down. First, wait until the bird is in range and you are ready to shoot. Raise your shotgun and mount it solidly in the pocket of your shoulder, making sure you bring the gun up to your cheek (not your cheek to the gun). Do this in one smooth motion. Keep both eyes open and focus on the last inch of the barrel (as opposed to aiming with the bead). Find your target, which you should already be on, and begin swinging through the tail. Keep swinging through the bird and pull the trigger as you pass the beak. Keep swinging as you shoot. This is called follow-through. Voila, dead bird! You may have to establish a longer lead, but this will get you started. If you shoot behind the first bird, just wait until you are farther in front of the beak to pull the trigger on the next one. This seems simple, but so many people forget these things. This will work for every bird you hunt. Just start at the tail and work your way through the beak, then shoot. And just remember, even the best shooters miss sometimes. The average for doves is one dove for 7 shells. A really good shooter is only 1 for 3. Also, to reiterate, make sure the bird is in range before you mount the shotgun. It gives you less time to think about it and make mistakes. Also, it forces you to point and shoot, not aim, which is how you shoot a shotgun.

[mongo safari]

Training.Go shooting and have someone toss clay pigeons in the air for you. Work up to skeet and Sporting Clays. Then you wil start slaying the birds. Build up your basics first.

[Master]

You're doing something wrong.Most likely you are jerking trigger, failing to follow through, and have no concept of proper lead for moving targets.Go to skeet range with 25 rounds of "Tru Tracer" ammunition.Dove can present a fast passing shot that requires shooter to aim far in front of current position of flying bird. You shouldn't even try these shots until you've practiced at skeet range. Instead sit still under a tree and wait for a dove flying directly at you. Do not move until bird is in range then quickly raise gun and fire before bird has time to change direction.