PRESEASON HUNTER SKILLS CHALLENGE

from California Sportsman Mag - July 2022

by Media Index Publishing Group

Photo contest winners

SUMMER HUNTER’S SKILLS CHALLENGE

7 STEPS TO BECOMING A BETTER SHOOTER

(FIRST OF TWO PARTS)

FROM FIELD...

By Scott Haugen

With 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 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.

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)

2. SANDBAG

... TO FIRE

Tiffany Haugen says a pressure cooker can provide potentially dry game birds with the moistness to preserve their flavor.

(TIFFANY HAUGEN)

PRESSURE POINTS ADD FLAVOR TO YOUR GAME BIRD

By Tiffany Haugen

Before we know it, bird hunting season will be here. Since doves and pigeons are among the first hunts we’ll be embarking upon, here’s a look at an easy and failsafe way to cook these tasty little gems.

One of the quickest ways to cook your quarry is by pressure cooking. Lean game birds especially benefit from moist cooking methods like a slow cooker or pressure cooker. Getting flavor into birds prior to cooking with a quick brine is also beneficial.

Right after plucking and dressing your birds, toss them into a brine, refrigerate a few hours and you’ll be ready to add some herbs and enjoy a fresh pigeon or dove dinner – quickly – and right out of your Instant Pot. Two to four pigeons or eight to 10 doves, dressed and plucked 6 cups water 1/3 cup kosher salt ¼ cup white sugar 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 medium onion, chopped 1 cup chopped celery 1 large sprig fresh rosemary Four to six fresh sage leaves ½ cup fresh parsley ½ cup chopped tomatoes 1 cup chicken or game bird broth 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 1½ teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water Fresh parsley for garnish

In a large container, mix water, kosher salt, white sugar and black pepper until thoroughly combined. Add birds to the brine and cover so birds are fully submerged. Refrigerate three to 12 hours.

Remove birds from brine and pat dry. Let sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. In a pressure cooker on medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add olive oil and brown birds until golden on all sides. Add onion and celery and sauté until soft. Add rosemary, sage, parsley, tomatoes, broth, salt and granulated garlic to the pressure cooker. Cook at high pressure 30 minutes and let pressure release naturally.

Remove birds from pressure cooker and bring pan drippings to a boil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with cold water until thoroughly combined. Add to the boiling pan drippings and stir until sauce reaches desired thickness. Pour sauce over birds and serve garnished with fresh parsley.

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany Haugen's popular book, Cooking Game Birds, send a check for $20 to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or visit scotthaugen.com for this and other titles.

Getting a steady shooting rest is vital to accurate shot placement. Here, the author uses a tripod, which is much more stable than a bipod or monopod. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

pack as a rest to shoot from. Whether laying it on the ground, atop a rock or a log and then nestling the gun into it, the moment the gun makes contact you’ll realize how unstable the rest is. Add in the fact the pack is soft when not crammed full, and it’s even more difficult to gain a steady rest.

This is where a small sandbag can come in handy. Nestle the sandbag on your pack, then the rifle into the sandbag, and you’ll be amazed at how much more secure it is. In the right situation you can even place the sandbag on a rock or the ground, and then shoot off it.

3. THE PRONE POSITION

When possible, shooting from a prone position will greatly increase your accuracy. This military-like shooting style is something a lot of hunters overlook, or don’t anticipate taking advantage of. As soon as you make a move on an animal, evaluate where the shot might come from and what position you can get in to make it efficiently happen. If you can lay flat on the ground, do it. This is also where that little sandbag can come in handy.

4. A SLOW TRIGGER PULL

A trigger pull should never be a yank or a sudden jerk, which can cause a miss. Trigger jerk happens for two reasons. The first is when too much of the index finger is wrapped around the trigger. Put only the tip of the index finger on the trigger.

The second cause is not having a steady rest, thus trying to time the firing of the gun when the reticle of the scope passes through the kill zone. With a steady rest, keep the reticle stationary on the kill zone and slowly apply pressure to the trigger until the rifle fires. Adrenaline is usually flowing when we shoot, and when the gun goes off it will likely surprise you; that’s a good thing. 5. CONTROL YOUR BREATHING

Catching your breath before taking a shot will result in a solid rest and better shot placement. If cresting a ridge and you’re breathing hard, slow down while the animal is still out of sight, then take your time while moving into shooting position.

Find a breathing routine that works for you and practice it. When it comes time for the shot, I personally like taking a deep breath – letting half of it out – relaxing and then pressuring the trigger.

6. DON’T RUSH IT

If you know where your target animal is and it has no clue you’re around, take your time. In addition to being a full-time writer, I’m a wildlife photographer. One thing that’s always amazed me is how long you can watch an animal when you’re not trying to kill it.

Don’t be in a rush, don’t spook an animal and you’ll be surprised how calm and under control the whole hunt scenario plays out, hopefully culminating with one well-placed shot.

7. STUDY THE ANIMAL

In addition to not spooking an animal, watch it closely before closing in for a shot. See if it’s feeding, rutting, traveling, nervous, relaxed or about to bed down. Look to see how other animals around it are acting, and always monitor the wind. Study how your target animal is behaving, as this will determine your next move.

With these points, the time to start practicing your shooting is now. Don’t wait, for the more routine these steps become, the better shot you’ll be. CS

Editor’s note: To order copies of Scott Haugen’s popular instructional DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game, visit scotthaugen.com. Mention California Sportsman and receive a free copy of he and his wife Tiffany’s bestselling cookbook, Cooking Big Game, a $20 value.

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