one eye or both

[brushbuster]

If you require corrective lenses have your prescription checked. My shooting buddy’s non dominate eye was slightly better than his dominate eye which resulted in some eye dominance issues where his non dominate eye started to take over. Once he had his lenses corrected it resolved the issue.

[Silvers]

One oft-repeated phrase that keeps many from shooting well is that one about having to "point a shotgun" instead of aiming it. Most really good shooters will tell you they've learned to use the front bead or the muzzle itself to acquire the bird and establish the lead (forward allowance). That describes aiming. They might do that subconsciously or even consciously which takes way more self control and practice but can be even better. Simply pointing a shotgun is akin to what many good clays shooters call "spray and pray" when they see fellas doing it, in other words hoping the spread of the pellets will connect on the clay or bird. And while that might work occasionally you see lucky hits and chips instead of crushes or smokeballs. Likewise it can work on close and quick flushing birds but also often fails when the hunter panics and fires without getting on the bird and creating the lead, or when the bird is farther out and the nimrod is clueless except that he has to be somewhere out in front.

frank

[44whiskey]

If you require corrective lenses have your prescription checked. My shooting buddy’s non dominate eye was slightly better than his dominate eye which resulted in some eye dominance issues where his non dominate eye started to take over. Once he had his lenses corrected it resolved the issue.

good point,my near vision is decaying rapidly but i can see distant objects clearly,maybe time for exam

[Rbishop]

I suppose I fall into the "nimrod" category but I would still argue that you don't aim a shotgun. When I am "on" and shooting well I am not even aware of the barrel of my gun. Back when I was young I was a decent baseball pitcher. When I was "on" I could move the ball all around the plate based on feel and control, not because I was aiming at the catcher's mitt. I don't aim a shotgun, I point and shoot based on feel.

[44whiskey]

I suppose I fall into the "nimrod" category but I would still argue that you don't aim a shotgun. When I am "on" and shooting well I am not even aware of the barrel of my gun. Back when I was young I was a decent baseball pitcher. When I was "on" I could move the ball all around the plate based on feel and control, not because I was aiming at the catcher's mitt. I don't aim a shotgun, I point and shoot based on feel.

does that hold true with multiple shotguns and are guns fitted to you,thanks

[Rbishop]

I am speaking purely from my own perspective of having grown up hunting quail behind pointing dogs. I don't do much target shooting so I can't really speak to clay target shooting, just from a hunting perspective where the targets are very fast, nimble and change direction quickly. I also have shot a lot of mourning doves as well. I have never had a shotgun fitted to me and I have found that I can adjust just about to any gun as long as it isnt shaped like a hockey stick.

[44whiskey]

thanks for reply,fred

[Rbishop]

This topic has been argued for decades. Books have been written to defend each view. I like what an old duck hunter said one time: "when they are flying I am pointing and when they are swimming (cripples) I am aiming." So there you have it!

[Stan Hillis]

True, that there are different viewpoints about whether or not a shotgun is aimed. I offer this only for consideration. Most agree that it is hugely important that the fit of a shotgun to the shooter be close enough to perfect that the pupil of the eye is centered in the rear of the rib/barrel axis, laterally, and that it is high enough for the bead, or front end of the rib to be seen, but not so high that the eye is looking down on the rib too much. This is so important because there is not a rear sight on a wingshooting shotgun. Our eye becomes the rear sight. Such being the case, an argument can be made that this constitutes aiming, especially so in the case of a going away, or incoming bird at such a slightly elevated angle that all one must do is cover the bird with the bead and it is centered in the pattern. What is so eye-opening to me is how precise a shotgunner must be on these two presentations. If one shoots tight choked guns as a general rule, as I do, that incomer/outgoer can be so easily missed as to be jaw-dropping. Get a little lax with your "pointing" on that outgoer, and see what happens. It will look like this on your scorecard: X

Interesting conversation. I appreciate everyone's thoughts about it.

[Rbishop]

There are so many thoughts and opinions on the subject it is hard to actually put the process on paper. Personally I think it is a collection of physical, mental and often, emotional actions which change or are modified as required based on the conditions of the moment. I really think shooting moving objects is more of the brain than the eyes. I have often made shots that happened so quickly that it had to be more of a learned reflex than the ability to get my eye "aimed" at the target. And on the other hand I have missed shots where I have watched the target fly all the way across a field in my direction where I had plenty of time to plan and prepare for the shot.

[BWalt]

Adding to Stan's post. We must have both eyes open for depth perception. We handicap ourselves if we close one eye.

[Stan Hillis]

Adding to Stan's post. We must have both eyes open for depth perception. We handicap ourselves if we close one eye.

Tremendously handicap ourselves.

[jolly bill]

Adding to Stan's post. We must have both eyes open for depth perception. We handicap ourselves if we close one eye.

Tremendously handicap ourselves.

For a right handed shooter with left eye dominant (me) shooting with both eyes open is a real handicap.

As an experiment for right handed shooters with right eye dominant and who shoot with both eyes open, try this. Hold your unloaded shotgun as tho you will be shooting it left hand, close your eyes, shoulder the gun in a position you would shoot, and then open both eyes. How is your sight picture?

Probably kinda weird.

If you do try it, let us know how it worked.

For me, it's a joy of shooting with good friends, whether you shoot good or not. Just clay pigeons with no animals or game involved.

[44whiskey]

Adding to Stan's post. We must have both eyes open for depth perception. We handicap ourselves if we close one eye.

Tremendously handicap ourselves.

For a right handed shooter with left eye dominant (me) shooting with both eyes open is a real handicap.

As an experiment for right handed shooters with right eye dominant and who shoot with both eyes open, try this. Hold your unloaded shotgun as tho you will be shooting it left hand, close your eyes, shoulder the gun in a position you would shoot, and then open both eyes. How is your sight picture?

Probably kinda weird.

If you do try it, let us know how it worked.

For me, it's a joy of shooting with good friends, whether you shoot good or not. Just clay pigeons with no animals or game involved.

tried it and understand what you are seeing and saying,cant argue with that,urge others to give it a try

[TOOL MAN]

Great topic, 44Whiskey!

If you're wondering about the advantages of shooting with both eyes open, try this simple though revealing exercise.

Extend both arms out from your body with index fingers pointing to 3 and 9 o'clock....like a scarecrow. Close your left eye and move both arms toward the 12 o'clock position. Note where you first glimpse your left hand/finger. Repeat it a couple of times to achieve consistency. Then start again from 3 and 9 but this time keep both eyes open. Again, move both arms to 12 and see how much sooner you detect your left hand! Shocking, right? Certainly, an advantage on targets and game! My money is on the shooter who sees the target first!