Sporting Clays

I'm reporting back regarding my progress. I completed the course using the mirror technique and my Marlin .22 rifle. I continued to practice the exercises of the 'Shoot Where You Look' program while evaluating shotguns. This had been ongoing for several months prior to visiting my wife's uncle (Frank) in Amenia, NY five weeks ago. Frank took me to nearby Orvis Sandanona to shoot sporting clays and provided me the opportunity to try a couple of shotguns (Beretta 391 20 gauge as well as his wife's Browning 12 gauge O/U). This was the first time for me to shoot at clays since beginning your course. I shot 2 boxes of shells through each shotgun. I did not shoot all the positions on the sporting clay course, and I'm estimating the percentage of clays that I hit, but it was a ~60-70% rate of success. For someone with more experience/skill, this may seem pedestrian. However, I was pleasantly surprised, because back in October when my buddy living in Austin took me to his skeet range, and I shot an equal number of shells, hitting one clay.

The last sporting clay position at the Orvis facility proved to be most challenging. The first clay would come in high and straight overhead and the second directly away and high with plenty of time to track each clay. After missing three sequential pairs, my wife's uncle threw a true-pair that came in out of the trees high from my left to right and directly overhead; there was only a short period of time to track and shoot. I exploded both clays with my last two shells; the second clay was directly overhead. Frank indicated that the last two clays required quick shots, and that the others provided ample time to negotiate. I was probably over thinking and may have stopped my swing. The last two clays provided me no time to think, but rather required a quick point and shoot. It was a fabulous way to end my first sporting clay experience, and highlighted one of many points that your program stresses: do not think about the shot, and shoot when it feels right.

It was the poor performance in my first attempt to shoot skeet in Austin that lead me to your program. The basic skills taught in your 'Shoot Where You Look' program is the only way to account for my improvement.

I've joined a local sportsmen's club, purchased a shotgun, and last week shot my first three rounds of trap. I was shooting with guys that compete in skeet/trap, and I did not embarrass myself. During the first two rounds of trap, I again hit ~60-70% of the clays, and 20/25 during the last round. I had the most difficult time with clays flying directly away; I self evaluated and concluded that I had been stopping my swing. The clays directly in front seemed to fly straight and flat but actually were still climbing. Assuming that I had been stopping my swing and tending to shoot under the away birds, I focused on continuing the upward swing during the last round, and improved to 80% hits.

I realize that I'm not a finished product, and will never be. However, it's much more fun to hit 60-80% of shots rather than fewer than 1%. My plan is to continue your program at home using my new used Browning O/U, and shoot one or two days a week at the club so as to evaluate improvement. I truly appreciate your kind phone call to me and informative emails, but am particularly thankful to you for taking the time to share your knowledge through the 'Shoot Where You Look' program. The next time that I'm in Austin visiting my friend Guy Fielder, I'll strongly consider arranging participation in a Wingshooter's Seminar.

Thanks again, and all the best! Dan Gallagher

Lloyd Keith McClure

“I use your drill with my shotgun rib and it’s really made my swing much smoother.  With relaxation and smoothness comes an awareness I’ve never experienced before.  I can now see so much more than I used to.  I can feel so much more than I used to.  The routine and the drills really cause your inconsistencies to stand out and become much easier to correct.”

Mark Jones

----"All in all, this is one of the most exciting programs from one of the most interesting people I've ever met. If your shooting needs some help, give the Shoot Where You Look^sm program a try."