Training New Hunters

[bikinitoboots]

I agree with what Becca said. Practicing shooting in field positions is key to giving a new hunter confidence in maneuvering safely with the rifle. You asked how you train and said that your wife likes coaching so I’ll share the drill I use.

Bring all your gear to the range. Backpack loaded like it would be for a hunt. However she hikes, gear and all, is how this drill should be performed.

Set the target at 100 yards.

For the first round-***no time limit***:
*each round begins from standing with all gear on*
2 shots standing-can use a shooting/hiking stick
2 shots-kneeling-start from standing move down to kneeling
2 shots-sitting-start standing-drop to sitting(can use pack as support or unsupported)
2 shots prone-again start from standing with pack on, release pack, position pack for shooting rest

Score round

2nd round
*each round starts from standing with all gear on*
1st-2 shots standing with a 15 second time cap
2nd-2 shots standing to kneeling-15 second time cap
3rd-2 shots standing to sitting-15 seconds time cap
4th-2 shots standing to prone-15 seconds time cap

Score round

3rd round
Time cap ****1 minute****
One shot from each position. Starting
standing—>kneeling—>sitting—>prone

Score round

The goal is to get so comfortable manipulating your gear(getting your backpack off quickly, taking it off and how to drop it so it’s ready for the gun as you’re coming down to kneeling/sitting etc) that you’re not really thinking about you’re pack or the gun-it’s all about the animal. The gun handling is second nature like putting on your pants and then your shoes.

Out of 20 shots you want to be 15-17 inside the circle under time. I get it. I did the hiking, up and down mountains, practiced “shooting” and the first time I saw a deer when I had a tag, I literally just stood there looking at it! And then it ran away because...whitetail. Hope the drill helps! I try to make it like a game at the range so it’s more fun than just training.

 

[2ski]

She wants to get better and likes my help and coaching. I'm not hitting any bee hives.... She's reading this thread too - she just doesn't care to have her own account on a hunting forum website and trusts me to give her guidance on what backpack would be good for her, etc.

The most frustrating thing for her was having the elk get away after we worked so hard to find and get on them.

Cool. I just figured it needed to be said just in case.

In that case, reminder her everytime you get turned away, you don't get the trigger pulled is a learning experience. An opportunity to calculate what could be changed to get a different outcome. An opportunity to learn from. And sometimes you just have to smile, say "that was awesome", and go on to the next stalk.

Too many times we don't prepare ourselves mentally for the task at had. When you're sitting at home, practice running through scenarios. X happens now what do you do. Ect. Visualize with her. You hunted together last season. You know where she struggled. Talk those situations through again.

Throw something out on the ground. Give her 5 seconds to acquire the target and say bang. Call time when it's up. Maybe it helps speed her process up.

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