Friday Fave: Shoot better ... than me! A couple-dozen hints, hacks and last-ditch efforts for those who miss the broad side of a barn
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In this special 'Friday Fave' episode of the Upland Nation podcast, host Scott Linden delivers a no-nonsense, practical guide to improving shotgun shooting skills—especially for those who feel they're consistently missing the broad side of a barn. Drawing from his own journey as a self-proclaimed 'worst shotgunner on television,' Scott shares over 30 last-ditch tips, hacks, and mental strategies that have helped him and others become more consistent hunters. From refining foot positioning and mastering the 'ready position' to avoiding overtraining and practicing with snap caps, the episode blends range advice with real-world field tactics. He emphasizes the importance of patience, perfect practice, and focusing on the bird’s flight path rather than the ground. Scott also dives into the psychology of shooting like a predator, the dangers of over-admiring your dog, and the value of using shooting glasses for safety and focus. The second half covers a 'Handle It' segment on maximizing GPS collar features, with practical overlays of vibration, tone, and stimulation commands for better dog control. Throughout, Scott stresses that small, consistent improvements compound into real results.
Practice perfect shooting form in short, focused sessions—25 rounds max per session—to avoid fatigue and maintain mental precision.
Adopt the 'ready position' in the field: point your muzzle downrange, armpit-level, and ready to mount—reducing movement and improving shot timing.
Wait a beat or two before shooting—your pattern grows larger at longer distances, increasing your chances of hitting the bird.
Use your GPS collar’s vibration, tone, and stimulation features as layered commands (e.g., vibration = attention, tone = recall, stimulation = correction) with verbal and hand signals for consistency.
Avoid over-lubricating semi-automatic shotguns—WD-40 can gum up mechanisms, especially in cold weather.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction: The Struggle to Shoot Better
Scott Linden opens the episode by admitting he's a terrible shotgunner but has improved through relentless learning and borrowing ideas from others. He frames this episode as a 'last-ditch effort' for hunters who keep missing birds, promising practical, actionable tips from his own journey and audience contributions.
Range Tips: From Flinching to Foot Position
“If you've got those two right there, look at a defensive back. Look at a linebacker. This season and see what they're doing. You can even look at the linemen. They're not doing anything much different than we are.”
Field Tactics: Patience, Focus & Dog Handling
“The longer you're admiring your dog, the more nervous that bird's going to be. If the bird's nervous, he's going to fly when you're not ready to shoot at him and you're going to miss.”
Mental & Physical Fundamentals: Gun Fit & Practice
“Focus on their eye, their beak, the ring on their neck. It doesn't matter what it is. Just focus on one thing. Your gun will still move the right way at the right time.”
Handle It: Maximizing GPS Collar Features
“You can't expect a command. I don't care what you're doing it with, a whistle, your hands or anything else. It can't do two things.”
“The longer you're admiring your dog, the more nervous that bird's going to be. If the bird's nervous, he's going to fly when you're not ready to shoot at him and you're going to miss.”
“If you've got those two right there, look at a defensive back. Look at a linebacker. This season and see what they're doing. You can even look at the linemen. They're not doing anything much different than we are.”
“You can't expect a command. I don't care what you're doing it with, a whistle, your hands or anything else. It can't do two things.”
Host
Scott Linden
person
Upland Nation
media
Flick
other
Jim Smith
person
Sage & Breaker Gun Care Products
brand
MidwayUSA.com
brand
Pointer Shotguns
brand
Purina Pro Plan Sport Dog Food
brand
Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School
brand
True Lock Choke Tubes
brand
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