Tip 1: Everyone Pull Together.
Pull the trigger correctly — press with enough pressure to go straight back until the gun fires, and no more. It sounds simple, and is — if you are watching your finger. Add in aiming and using a steady hold, and it’s easy to overlook the finger motion. Don’t try to time your trigger pull when the crosshairs move across the target, but get into the target area, hold as steady as possible, and press the trigger correctly.

Tip 2: Breathe, Baby, Breathe.
Don’t hold your breath, but time the trigger release so you pause slightly just as you are beginning to exhale. If things don’t line up correctly, don’t hold your breath or shoot too early; just breathe one more cycle and try again.

Tip 3: Be Firm, But Relaxed.
Be firm with your grip on the firearm, pull it firmly into your shoulder, and maintain a firm cheek weld. But while holding firm, you should still be relaxed at all times — before, during, and after the shot. You shoot with your entire body; don’t be clenched anywhere.

Tip 4: Roll With the Punch.
Don’t fight recoil. It is there with every firearm, so do what you can to minimize it and recover smoothly for your next shot. Being relaxed at all times — before, during, and after — will help. Follow through — shoot, recoil, and come to rest — before moving into a new position or changing your grip.

Tip 5: Patience, Grasshopper.
Get on target, stay on target, squeeze the trigger, and maintain a good sight picture until the gun goes off. If it takes a while, don’t get tense. Breathe smoothly and start over if everything isn’t right.

Tip 6: How to Get to Carnegie Hall.
Practice, practice, practice. Not just two, three-shot groups the day before the season opens. Get a plan and stick to it. Figure out where your weak spots are and work to fix them. Change one thing each practice until you find what works for you. Don’t just shoot supported from the bench. Incorporate all the possible shooting positions you may encounter while hunting.

Tip 7: Focus.
Depending on what kind of firearm you are shooting, your visual focus will change. As a rule, shooters using a scope will vary focus between the target and reticle. If you are using a rifle or handgun with iron sights, you are normally trained to focus on the front sight. Shotgunners are taught to focus on the target. Whatever you are shooting, learn what works and maintain focus from shot to shot, and session to session.

Tip 8: Know Thyself.
Know your firearm, know your zero’s, and most importantly, know yourself. Be totally prepared, physically, mentally, and with your equipment, and you will have no doubts in your mind as you step up to the line or walk into the field. Being totally prepared, and understanding the physics of shooting, will allow you to stay in the moment and focus solely on executing good shots.

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