Five Reasons You Missed That Dove

Another bird will fly by soon. Here’s how to fix your problems and knock the next one down

- Phil Bourjaily

YOU EMPTIED your gun at it, and the bird never missed a wing beat. It’s gone. It’s history—and those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. A lot of history is made in the dove field. The oft-repeated statistic is that the average shooter expends five to seven shells for every dove bagged.

Now is not the time to hector you about how you should have practiced all summer instead of fishing or golfing. It’s time for some quick advice. The next dove is coming, and you need to hit it. Here are five reasons you missed the last one, and five solutions to help you hit the next.

REASON NO. 1

YOU LOOKED AT THE BEAD

Most shotgun misses occur because you look at the bead, either to check the lead or because you’re trying to aim, rather than point, the gun. This is especially true in the dove field, where you get lots of crossing shots. When you look at the bead, the gun stops. Even if the muzzle appeared to be in front of the target, you miss behind.

THE SOLUTION: Focus on the target—never the bead. If there’s one thing you should have learned from all that golf you were playing when you should have been shooting, it’s to keep your head down and your eye on the ball. The dove is the ball.

REASON NO. 2

YOU SWUNG TOO FAST