Let’s take a minute and talk about shooting ability. How many of us have or see someone take his/her rifle to the range just before the start of a hunt, shoot one or two rounds, and if the particular rifle is still zeroed, feel they’re ready for a shot at an animal? What if that animal is at 150 yards, 200 yards? Or even what if it’s at 25 or 75 yards? Do you know the flight path of that bullet at various ranges beside the normal 100 yard zero?

Assume your rifle, regardless of caliber is zeroed one inch high at 100 yards. The path of that bullet, or point of impact will not be the same at 25, 50 or 75 yards.

What I and my friend Gary, AZOD Shooting Editor, like to do is hold shooting contests (which he usually wins) between ourselves in as close to real life hunting situations as possible.

In a varmint calling situation, most of us sit on the ground or at best a short stool, although ladders are becoming more frequent.

If you have an area with a safe backstop and distance enough you can make a very challenging game of target practice. Targets can range from pop cans, paper plates with an orange one inch dot stapled to a stake or even metal or cardboard silhouettes. Try to simulate as close as possible real hunting situations. If varminting, sit on the ground or stool, call for 30 - 60 seconds, have your friend pick your target and make the most accurate shot you can.

Since a predator doesn’t always show up at an even 100 yards, place your targets as close as you like, to as far as you like. Placing targets at various distances, having your hunting buddy call your shot or shots as in the case of more than one coyote showing up to the same call, and actually calling and setting yourself in a semi-real calling stand will help you get ready for those real life shots.

Not many of us are Buffalo Bill or Annie Oakley but with practice we could be as good…or better!

In this day of anti-gunners and anti-hunters the more responsible we are, the less fuel we provide to these misguided groups. This kind of target practice is good for all age groups and all types of firearms, pistol, rifle, or shotgun.

Good shooting, good luck, and be responsible!

Richard K. Welstch