target panic

[econdave]

I have missed one turkey, and almost another, I seem to be pulling the trigger instead of squeezing. The bird I shot, I missed at 15 yards, he took flight and I shot him out of the air. How do I cure this.

[DocHolladay]

I wouldnt call it target panic, I would call it recoil panic. You know the kick is coming from those 3"-3.5" shells, that is why you are flinching. I would have a friend load your shotgun for you. Tell them to either load a "hot" shell or empty one, then watch you shoot. They should be able to notice your flinching. You are gonna have to learn to control the flinch or it will haunt you forever. You can beat it, just try and catch yourself doing it and start over when you catch it.

I would also suggest a good vest with a shoulder pad or recoil pad for your shotgun to help absorb the abuse that those turkey guns hash out.

[econdave]

I dont know why this has happened, I have hunted for 18 years and never had this happen. I missed a doe last year at 40 yards. I will try your suggestion, thanks

[Tony204ing]

I myself am guilty of flinching.Sometimes even with small cal.Its an extreamally frustrating habit.However i find that the more i practice the less it happens.If i slack off a while i am almost guaranteed to flinch.If i stay fresh i drive tacks all day long.Also coffee and guns dont mix i see a differance if i drink too much.

[Tenpoint]

Do you have a rear sight on your shotgun or just a front bead? It could be that you were too focused on your target and not on your sights. Anyway, I'd say a couple missed shots is no reason to panic. Pattern your shot and practice at different ranges, you'll be fine.

Last year I went out with a couple buddies on a goose hunt and we had lots of birds come in, I missed an embarrassing number of shots that day and my buddies got all the birds. I did a bit of skeet shooting this summer and then smoked a few nice geese last weekend, not one miss.

It will come back to you.

Cheers,
Tenpoint

[DocHolladay]

It just hit me.... Are you shooting that shotgun like a rifle(one eye closed)? If it has just a front bead, you need to keep both eyes open when shooting.

[rourke]

I learned how to shoot birds with a 28 gauge at clay pigeons. At 10 years old my first time in the duck blind i thought that 12 gauge with 3's was just a different gun. The kick hurt but I was too excited about shooting my first bird to care. it was a real nice wood duck that I got mounted BTW.