HUNTING
SUMMER HUNTER’S SKILLS CHALLENGE
FROM FIELD...
7 STEPS TO BECOMING A BETTER SHOOTER (FIRST OF TWO PARTS) By Scott Haugen
W
ith summer comes no shortage of fun to be had outdoors. But if you’ll be hunting big game this fall, now is the time to start preparing. While scouting and getting in shape take center stage, you’ll also want to build those shooting skills. This month we’ll take a look at seven steps that will help you become a better rifle shot, things that have personally helped me over the decades of big game hunting around the world. Next month, we’ll follow it up with seven more tips, all in an effort to help make your big game hunts come together smoothly this season.
1. USE A TRIPOD A tripod has three legs, which is much more stable than a bipod, which is much sturdier than a monopod. Make sure the tripod shooting sticks you get allow you to stand and shoot with the legs fully extended, as often you’re shooting over tall grass, brush or rises in the land. When shooting from sticks in a kneeling position, put the knee of your non-shooting side on the ground and raise your shooting side
Now is the time to get ready for this fall’s big game hunts. Author Scott Haugen did everything right to prepare for this hog hunt in Northern California, where he took this big boar with one well-placed shot. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
knee. This feels unnatural, but it allows you to anchor your shooting elbow on the elevated knee of the same side, maximizing your stability. Make sure the tripod you get is sturdy, so as not to bend under pressure. If hunting from an ATV, you might want to consider Bog
Gear’s DeathGrip tripod. They’re big and bulky, meaning you won’t want to pack them far, but the clamping device makes them rock solid and invaluable in the right situation.
2. SANDBAG Spend time afield and you’ll use your
calsportsmanmag.com | JULY 2022 California Sportsman
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