skybusting

[greebs]

Don't want to be guilty of it. Seems like I once saw where there was basically a rule of thumb that when firing at ducks, they were in range if the duck appears to be approximately the same size as your barrell or larger when trying to bead it in and if the size of the duck looked to be smaller than the barrel then it was out of range. Is that right or is there any other 'rules' out there on helping to determine distance? How about for geese? of course all this is contingent on having the appropriate size gun and ammo but am trying to have some tidbits to share with my son.

[Tyler Holm]

If you can easily see their feet they will be within 35-40 yards or so. That's always been a good judgment for me. I guess this may only work with mallards and other orange footed ducks. If you can see their feet at 55+ yards, you’re starring too hard. Try closing one eye.

I also use the concept you introduced above.

When a duck it truly in range, you don't have to ask yourself if it’s in range, you just know it. If you have to ask or wonder, then maybe it’s to far away (or borderline). My adrenaline also indicates when a bird is in range. These are things your son will have to learn, but could be worth mentioning.

You should be able to easily and clearly indicate which species of bird you’re firing at. If you ever knock one down and wonder what it was after the fact... That's bad!

Kids get jumpy and jittery prior to taking a shot at a bird. Best bet is to keep them calm and quietly talk them through different situations when birds come in. Give them the play by play and remind them several times about rules, laws, ethics, bad habits, good habits, best practices, sportsmanship, and importance of keeping the environment clean.

These are just some of the key facts that I can remember that contributed to making me the a true outdoorsman.

[set the drag]

i always try and waite till they are locked up and truly comitted to my spread. and there feet are sticking out.unless they do a low fly by and they aren't going to land. its seems to me that i usually never shot unless the bird is bigger than the barrel

[David Frank]

Good information there... most important is the coaching aspect. Situate your blind within talking distance of your child. The birds will not hear you quietly talking back and forth.. and if they do... they were close enough to take! I agree with tyler.... children have a habit of getting jittery and jumping the gun but with a good mentor and plenty of experience this will all fall into place.

P.S. Tyler, I don't remember too many days last year where we even had to worry about the birds being close enough. I've never seen birds decoy so close! Thanks again for all the great hunts... let's do it again this year every chance we get!

Dave

[wyldewal]

I usually ere on the side of cation, waiting until they are too close.But on days when they are flying high I have streched the barrel a time or two. I try not to do that very often, it's usually just a waste of shells .

It does help hunting with someone with experience when your learning. I get to teach my oldest son next year. I'll start with having him in the blind with me this year almost every day. I can't wait until he can hunt.

[Tyler Holm]

Awe... Yes Davo... Good times had by all last hunting season (unless you were a goose, duck, pheasant, or dove). The swans and turkeys got lucky. We will have our revenge on those crafty birds.

[magnumthunder]

If you can see their eyes or hear their wings they are close enough. I try to put out a deke or maker of some type for an inexperianced hunter to help them judge distance. I've seen way to many skybusters on opener. If they would of waited everyone would of got shooting. Instead they shoot them even higher and no birds for anyone.

[FOOT]

If you're hunting over deeks it's fairly easy. Just place one or more deeks at the farthest range you feel comfortable shooting. Say 40 yards. Then anything inside that go ahead and shoot.