How do you warm up for bird season?

[fox-admin]

A few weeks before duck hunting I visit my gun club frequently by myself and only shoot my go to duck hunting gun a 12ga 30, 1 1/2"x 2 1/2" x 14 1/4" #1 weight barrels, XF/XF, 2 5/8" chambers, weight 7.15lbs. I shoot the 100 bird champion course, all singles. I just work on my mechanics concentrating on single birds. If I miss on the first shot I shoot again. Gun mount and hard focus on the bird, low gun. It's a great tune up for me----focus-focus-focus. My average on singles is excellent which builds confidence for opening day. How about you???

[Jeff S]

Good that you asked. My intent was to use my “new to me” 30” XE. Prior to September, I had only shot a couple rounds of trap with it, and of course that’s a single shot. Two weeks prior to the duck opener (northern zone) I met “Foxnut” at the gun club and shot a round of clays with it. Good thing I did, because that single trigger pulls slightly differently than my double trigger guns. As we’ve all learned at events, constantly switching guns can cost you a bird or two. Also, I just got back from putting the finishing touches on my blind (for the southern zone). Cheers and happy hunting!

[Sporrns]

For doves and as a warm up for later duck shooting, I always relied on the 100-ft. tower at our local club. You could stand facing it for incomers, beside it for pass shooting by backing WAY up, and under it for going away shots overhead. After trying all the positions and 3 or 4 boxes of shells, you had a definite advantage. For upland hunting, regular trap from the 16 yd. line worked for pheasants; for quail and grouse shots, I stood right on top of the trap house and had "puller's choice" targets sent with a slight delay (or not!) from the low gun position. This setup really teaches you quick and proper gun handling and focus on the bird Kevin

[DarylC]

Other than shooting doves I pretty much stay "warmed up" year long shooting clays. Low gun shooting mostly true pairs.

[Jeff S]

A few weeks before duck hunting I visit my gun club frequently by myself and only shoot my go to duck hunting gun a 12ga 30, 1 1/2"x 2 1/2" x 14 1/4" #1 weight barrels, XF/XF, 2 5/8" chambers, weight 7.15lbs.

Craig, if you don’t mind me asking, what ammo do you use in your “go to gun” when you’re duck hunting?

[fox-admin]

A few weeks before duck hunting I visit my gun club frequently by myself and only shoot my go to duck hunting gun a 12ga 30, 1 1/2"x 2 1/2" x 14 1/4" #1 weight barrels, XF/XF, 2 5/8" chambers, weight 7.15lbs.

Craig, if you don’t mind me asking, what ammo do you use in your “go to gun” when you’re duck hunting?

Early season RST 1oz #5,s. Later 1 1/4oz #5 Boss, Divers 1 3/8# 3's with my SF. I good friend had to give up duck hunting and sold me a bunch of 1oz 5,s, normally in the early season I would shoot my handloaded 1 1/8oz #5,s
. A member of our gang passed a few weeks back, Larry Howk. You guys met him through the years at the various sxs shoots. Great guy and a Fox man. His widow asked me to sell and give away all his guns and hunting gear, sad time. All his ammo and guns found new homes, I bought nothing but did get good prices for his things.

[Stan Hillis]

I don't usually go through a "warm up" before dove season, which is our first game bird season down here. I've shot them all my life, and shoot sporting clays when I can, so I just depend on muscle memory to take over on the bird field.

Sometimes a clays club will have a Saturday 100 bird sporting shoot and call it the "Dove Warmup", but almost everyone who shoots them uses target guns, not their dove guns.

[Jeff S]

Thanks for sharing your ammo information. I just picked up a box of Kent Bismuth “upland”, 1 1/4 oz., #5 @1350.

Sorry for the loss of your fellow hunter.

[vaturkey]

5 Stand at the local Isaak Walton. I shoot only sxs and low gun. If its not crowded I have the puller deviate from when I call for the bird for up to 3 seconds before launching the bird. I break about half normally. I shoot 50 rounds every other Saturday. That's enough to where I don't lose focus and also enough that I don't beat up my surgically repaired right shoulder too bad. PS. Don't ever shoot the Rabbit. With bird dogs I shoot nothing on the ground. No point in it.

[eightbore]

Warm up? In my debilitated condition, I stand in front of a Ponsness-Warren 375 and crank out .410 shells until I can't stand up any more. Unfortunately, my bird hunting days are over. I still enjoy regular bouts of skeet and five stand with a couple of nice Super Foxes.

[Sporrns]

Thanks for sharing your ammo information. I just picked up a box of Kent Bismuth “upland”, 1 1/4 oz., #5 @1350.

Jeff, best load EVER for decoyed ducks! Kevin

[DarylC]

So sorry to hear about Larry. He always had a smile on his face and I will always think of him when I pull out that kids model 410/.22 purchased from him years ago. Please give the guys and his wife my condolences.

[Silvers]

Craig, I’m so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. I always enjoyed talking with him while at shooting events. My sincere condolences to his wife and family. Also to your duck hunting gang. frank

[Fowlgunner]

Craig,

Unfortunately these days all I can do before season is Buy More Shells!!

Good luck to all!

Will

[Silvers]

Thanks for sharing your ammo information. I just picked up a box of Kent Bismuth “upland”, 1 1/4 oz., #5 @1350. (snip)

If truly on size a #5 Bismuth pellet would have about the same weight and ranging as a #6 lead pellet. Jeff, I'm curious about those shells and wonder if the Bismuth shot is inside a shot cup, or has a outer shot wrapper, or is bare. If you get a chance can you open one shell and investigate? A pic of the components would be good. Also a caliper or mike measurement of several pellets. I'll buy you lunch at the next SxS event we're both at. Thank you. frank