one eye or both

[44whiskey]

i have been trying to learn this art of shotgunning by watching coaches and trying to use their tips. by far proper gun fit has benefitted me the most. also mounting gun and building muscle memory. what i am having the most difficulty with is trying to shoot with both eyes open. how important is this and do you fellas shoot with one eye or both thanks in advance

[Jim Cloninger]

BOTH

[Rbishop]

Both open but you only see out of one. Does that make sense?

You don't aim a shotgun, you point it at the target.

But I far from an expert shot! So I will let others chime in.

[Researcher]

Both

[Sporrns]

Both for sure, and I will give you another tip which has helped me immeasurably since taking up serious trapshooting two years ago: as you are just about to call for the bird, "pop' your eyes as wide open as you possibly can - like when you're having your annual eye exam and they check you for glaucoma. You will be amazed at how much more illumination comes into your eyes when you do this! Kevin

[44whiskey]

thanks kevin, i have never heard of that trick, ill give it a try,fred

[jimmartin]

Both but you must be right eye dominant for right shoulder shooting . If not people do different things like tape on the left glasses lens.

[DarylC]

Definitely keep them both open. I've been using the eye "popping" trick that Kevin mentioned for years. It really works especially on overcast days.

[Foxnut]

I shoot right handed but am left eye dominant. Therefore I keep my left eye closed. I have not tried the patch or tape over the left lens but have read that method while keeping the eye open. I have much to learn and recently signed up for some one on one coaching. Steggy can testify that I surely need the help!!!

[jolly bill]

Like Foxnut/Brett, I'm a right-handed shooter but my left eye is dominant. If I don't close my left eye when I shoulder the gun (shotgun), I get a real weird sight picture.

Been that way forever. Too late to do anything different, I guess.

[44whiskey]

thanks for replies,i guess it will take effort to change after 45 plus years of doing it wrong,cant imagine difficulty of right handed left eye dominate, fred

[Jeff S]

I shoot right handed but am left eye dominant. Therefore I keep my left eye closed. I have not tried the patch or tape over the left lens but have read that method while keeping the eye open. I have much to learn and recently signed up for some one on one coaching. Steggy can testify that I surely need the help!!!

You hit a lot of grouse, and that my friend, is what really matters.

[44whiskey]

true jeff, that is what matters

[Stan Hillis]

Shooting a shotgun with one eye closed, or with only one "good eye", is a big handicap to shooting well. Not saying it can't be done, but two eyes are needed for the brain to triangulate and determine distance. I guess, in the case of someone with an unusual situation like jolly bill, the brain may be able to compensate to some degree. But, you should make every effort to learn to keep them both open when shooting.

I have, in my latter years, developed a condition called "drooping eyelids". The tip Kevin gives is a tremendous help. Without planning to do so I have realized that I do this before calling for a bird. It allows more light into the pupil and really aids in visual acuity.

[Silvers]

Those who struggle with shooting well might benefit from taking lessons from a Certified NSCA level 3 Coach. Kind of expensive, yes. But so are course fees and shells wasted trying to learn second hand by watching or from advice by other guys who aren't that accomplished themselves. I'm reminded of something I heard from Dr. W. Edwards Deming while at a conference. I paraphrase: if you want to learn to play the piano well, take lessons from Liberace not the guy playing at the corner barroom. frank