The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-10-18
HOW T!0!E!'::';;,.
HO or:
By Bob Nichols

LEW upland gunners-eyen the good
L ones-eyer realize how fully good
shooting depends on good standing.
Most gunners so trudging through
the brush without ever a thought of
where their feet ought to be placed to
be In the most advantageous position
for quick and accurate shooting. |
will venture to say that at least 30 per
cent of all misses made by good shots
In the field are the result of poor foot
and body position. The direct cause
of the miss may be over-shooting, or
understanding. or more probably
shooting behind. But the primary
cause Is bad stance-and let us use
this term instead of the other because
1t is already widely understood word
through Its association with correct
form In golflng. IA
Form actually holds as much signlfi-
canoe In shooting as 1t does In golf.
Once you understand the principles OF
good form you can. through constant
practice, adapt these principles to your
physique. No two golfers use the
same Identical stance. Yet each Is ap-
plying the same identical principles
to his own peculiar characteristics of
height, weight, arm length. and SO on.
No two crack shots use the same iden-
tical stance either. But you can rest
assured that each. like the good golfer.
Is applying the self same set OF prln-
ciples to his shooting.
Good stance In shooting, as In golf
ing, Is simply the elimination of mus
cular conflict-which results In smooth
coordination.
With smooth muscular coordination,
your hands and arms and legs syn
chronize In completing any given mo-
ton You act with speed. and yet
without hurry or bungling flusteratIon.
Your bird Pushes, your feet assume
well-practiced and unconsciously re-
membered positions, your hands and
arms function faultlessly through the
familiar routine. your gun swings onto
your target and-bang! Dead bird
And the whole cycle took perhaps less
than one second to complete.
Having learned form. the good shot
appears to shoot and kill his game with
an air of easy carelessness- But be-
hind his apparent carelessness lies an
experience OF perhaps thousands OF
practice shots. He shoots In nncon-
scious rhythm because form has be-
come automatic and mechanical with
him. He no longer needs to think
about 1t.
The average hunter walks too fast
In the field and takes too long steps.
On a surprise rise he Is invariably
caught off balance. Walk slower and
you will not only kick out more game,
but you stand a much better chance
of bagging 1t when 1t gets up. In cover
where 1t seems likely bird or rabbit
may pop out at any moment. your
good shot Is most careful walker. II
he is right-handed shot he will take
short steps, keep his feet fairly close
together. take shorter steps with his
right foot than with his left foot, and
always his left foot out ahead OF the
right But his feet are never very
FAR apart
He knows that to shoot well you
must swing your gun, using the body
as steady, supporting pivot. II the
bird gets up and quarters to the left
lin front Of right-handed shooter)
he pivots on his left foot. For the
right swinging shot he pIvots on the
right foot. His movements are me-
chanical--and smooth. No pulling
muscles to stop his gun swing His
gun movements are almost pendulum
like In their freedom from conflicting
muscle strain.
Some good shots often fall into a
slight, free-moving crouch when shoot
ing. But they pivot Just the same.
Y The loose-kneed crouch sometimes
gives one feeling OF Increased security
of footing. But If the crouch becomes
stiff and exaggerated the shooter will
find himself missing quarterIng and
crossing birds because the severe
crouch freezes" his muscles into rigid
ity and therefore prevents freedom OF
swing.
Never try to shoot from bad footing
II you can help It II the game zooma
out behind you, don't try to twist your
self into pretzel to shoot Turn
around, get your footlng-then shoot
Shooting In good form makes IT easier
to score
O. Western Newspaper Union