Practice the Tough Shooting Positions for Success on the Hunt

Scoring a perfect hit remains the goal of all hunters. Unfortunately, all game does not allow you to set up for a bench-perfect shot like your zero session at the shooting range. Whether deer or a slinking coyote, shot opportunities are oftentimes unexpected and brief. You may be able to deploy a bench-style shot, but do not bet your trophy on it. Instead, practice every shooting position to be prepared for the unforeseen in hunting.

What shooting positions should you practice? Take a page from military shooting instruction or even 4-H Shooting Sports. Learn the basics. Practice the positions. Make the shot.

The most stable position providing the highest degree of accuracy is prone. For that simple reason, it is a top position to master. You might pass on prone if you believe your hunting environment does not allow for a prone setup, but you might be wrong. I have used prone from the fields of Alabama to the Quebec tundra and everywhere in between. Be creative and consider setting up on the highest terrain possible. Now perfect your form.

While laying on your stomach, hold the rifle with your elbows dug firmly into the earth. Your legs should be spread hip-width apart with both feet flat and pointing away from your body. You can also bend your right leg (if right-handed) and lock the flat part of your foot into your left leg. As always, depress the trigger at the bottom of your exhale for the least in body movement.

Opposite of the stability offered by the prone platform, offhand shooting is tricky to stabilize your upper body, especially for long shots. Nevertheless, it serves a purpose, especially while still-hunting, stalking and in close-quarters hunting scenarios.

Before pulling the trigger in an offhand shooting position, confirm you sight window is steady enough to hit your aim. Take a second, lean back a touch and tuck the elbow of the arm holding the pistol grip into your side for even more support. Even wrapping your arm that is not supporting the firearm in your sling can brace the offhand position further.

While teaching 4-H Shooting Sports, offhand and kneeling positions were the two I had to force on the students. Despite the prodding, after the youth practiced a few times, they became quite proficient.

For right-handed shooters, place the right knee on the ground while the opposite leg stays up and supports the left elbow. Swap if you are a lefty. Firmly position the elbow of your arm holding the firearm forearm in the meaty part of the thigh behind the knee. Now squat slightly to form a firm foundation. This position elevates you enough to shoot over most vegetation yet maintain steadiness.

Ranking next to prone for a solid shooting formation is the sitting position. Many hunting locations allow you to sit with your back against a tree, giving you further foundation. You can employ the sitting position with legs crossed or spread. With legs crossed, prop up your knees and lock your elbows into the inside pocket where the knees bend. With legs spread wide employ the same tactic with elbows nestled into the same inside knee crease. Used properly, sitting gives you a very stable shooting platform.

You many have a favorite shooting position. Regardless, an unforeseen shooting situation could arise. Practice all the shooting positions the next time you are at the range. It could be the saving grace in a tricky shooting situation.