Improve Your Wingshooting by Tracking Summertime Shots

Even if you don't spend many days afield, your wingshooting skills can remain sharp with off-season practice.

posted on July 30, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Growing up in central Minnesota, wingshooting was a big part of our family adventures. We spent countless weekends hunting pheasants, doves, ducks and geese, and like anything … practice makes perfect. My younger brother and I couldn’t wait for the youth waterfowl season to kick off each fall, so even when my dad had to work, my mom would bring us out. The memories will never be forgotten. Unfortunately I don’t get to spend quite as many days in the field wingshooting anymore (I spend way too much time sitting in a tree hunting deer), so I try to use the summer months to improve those skills for fall.

I've done a couple of things to shorten the learning curve. One is to practice with Winchester AA TrAAcker. I love these shotshells because they contain colored wads that follow the shot string, so you can see why you’re missing. For example, if you’re too far behind the clay target, you will see exactly where your shot hit on the fly. I don’t always have someone by my side to help coach, so this a great way for anyone to make the needed changes and improve much quicker. 

The next choice I made to improve my wing shooting was to mount a holographic sight on my shotgun. To some this may seem crazy, but 99 percent of my hunting is big game and I’m used to having a scope or holographic sight on my gun. I was a little nervous the first year I headed to Saskatchewan for a waterfowl hunt, but figured if I didn’t like the sight, I could always remove it on the hunt. But it turned out to be a huge improvement. My shots were spot on and I absolutely loved having it and probably wouldn’t do a waterfowl hunt again without it. The only drawback is it sits up a little higher, so I did notice slightly increased recoil, but the improved shooting was worth it. 

Wingshooting has been a great way for our family to bond from the time we were kids, to more recent waterfowl trips with my dad in Canada. I love to sit back and enjoy the early morning sunrises, non-stop laughter and fun, and have one less thing to worry about. I know that my summer practice will keep me ready and prepared even if iI only get to do one or two wingshooting trips a year. So even if you’re a bit rusty, put in some time this summer and get back into the fun of wing shooting with family and friends.

Latest

Rao Off Season Rifle Getting Into Position Photo By Rao
Rao Off Season Rifle Getting Into Position Photo By Rao

It's Time for Your Rifle's Off-Season Check-Up

When fall hunting season is just around the corner, summer is time to make sure your guns and gear are in shape for shooting.

The Armed Citizen® Reload July 18, 2025

A spousal abuser and a registered sex offender met their fate while attempting to carry out their crimes. 

Want to Become an Outdoors Woman? Here's One Way to Start.

The successful BOW program (Becoming an Outdoors-Woman) began in 1990 in Wisconsin but its popularity as one of the leading programs for women has propelled its expansion into 38 states.

Winchester Safes Donating to Kerr County Flood Relief

Through July 31, 100 percent of its profits from online sales will go to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.

The Headrest Safe Company Introduces Compact Model

Take your firearm, cash, medications and more in your vehicle and relax knowing it will stay out of the hands of kids, valets or intruders.

What’s a Monolithic Bullet?

What do monolithic bullets do, and what are they good for?

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.