I spend alot of days shooting prairie dogs, hunting rabbits with the .22LR, and do a lot of shooting at the range. Keeps me ready for big game season.

Can’t disagree with geland one bit!!! Well said!!!

Yup Gelandangan has it. I've been a Still Hunter all my life and was taught to track also...

Knew it was somewhere around 1970. Just couldn't remember which it was without looking up my records on it. I do know that I have a very nice shotgun though...Somewhat low serial number (10514Axx)

whittling wrote:

O.K. I'm curious -does anyone have any ideas on practicing with a shotgun or rifle how to simulate a hunting situation for practice.Basically ,At various range with a gun carrying hunting loads a way to practice hitting a vital sized target that is moving,reloading on the go and fast shooting.Lately ,I have been practicing hitting spent shotgun hulls at 20 yd. with a .22 to simulate long range shooting and can get about 3 of 5 .I also have been using a shotgun to blast at targets quickly and practice hip shooting for fun,50 yard deer sized target and fast reloading but I need a moving target about 20-40 yd. away for practice.

Just curious....

What is it you're "practice hunting" for?

If you were to scare up a deer and it started running.Or a squirrel that bouncing tree to tree.Or a turkey coming running in .

hunterjoe21 wrote:

Just curious.... What is it you're "practice hunting" for?

Sounds like......PEOPLE.


Practice 1 shot, 1 kill. (+1 Mr Bush and Glen.)

I like the stalk and element of surpise. With same in my corner my shots are placed better and the chance of crippling or the need for follow up is minimized. Only thing moving I'll shoot at is birds with pellets.

For hunting practice may I suggest try stalking (with a cold chamber or w/o a rifle) getting as close as you can to your target then working the action as quietly as possible.
Post paper plates etc as targets and stalk those if you can using cover and avoiding the wind w/ a puffer (smoker).
Practice rattles and calls too.
Don't forget sporting clay's for the pop-guns!

Practice is fun!

You don't HAVE to shoot at running game you know... None of us are going to starve if we don't take a shot at a running deer. I've probably passed up more possible shots than I've taken because the animal was moving, there was intervening brush, etc.

Gelan has the ticket. Get close without disturbing the critter and take the shot while it's still. If you are a good wing shot then maybe consider moving shots but make sure you're a good wing shot first. I'm not, so no moving game for me.

whittling wrote:

If you were to scare up a deer and it started running.Or a squirrel that bouncing tree to tree.Or a turkey coming running in .

IF you were to scare up a deer and it started running, your best bet would be to let it run, 'till it decides to stop. Then you can pick up it's trail and make a stalk. If ya do it right, ya won't need to take a running shot.

I've killed hundreds of squirrels, and can't remember one that I had to shoot while it was moving. Maybe you should look into a call. I find that they usually come lookin' for me, and if I'm somewhat "stealthy" (read as moving slowly and only when I can do so without spookin' the critter), I have no reason to attempt a "moving" shot, whether I'm using a shotgun or a .22.

As for turkey, there's no reason to take a shot at a turkey running in. Let him run! He'll eventually realize he made a mistake and put the brakes on, which will give you a shot at a closer distance than if you shoot him on the run.

I guess what I'm tryin to say is to work on yer woodsmanship (or as Gelan calls it "Bushcraft") before you worry about shootin' at moving critters. Just remember, a close-in shot at a stationary target will always beat a hurried shot at a moving target, regardless of the distance.

Chances of hitting a moving target are very low. I've done it a couple of times, usually on a follow up shot. I just prefer to pass up the moving shot for a good sure shot. The majority of the time an animal will stop shortly after it is jumped. For rabbits and squirrels I give a quick whistle most of the time they will stop for a look see. They don't stop for long but usually long enough for a good shot. It does work for deer to but I usually let them move naturally, once you whistle they become nervous and they won't offer a second shot, all you will see is the nice white tail waving bye bye,

Ethically as a hunter, you should ensure that the animal you shot at die right away with your very first shot,
even if their body does not realise that it is dead (and runs for a few seconds).

By taking a shot at a running animal (or over a very long distances),
you are giving into chance that it is wounded.

I am not going to tell you what to do ,
but my respect goes to hunters that let an animal go if the shot is chancy.
As Pumpkins said, there is no reason to "have" to shoot it.
It has done its part by being alert enough to detect the hunter,
OTOH, the hunter has not done his part by stalking correctly.

I live in civilised (hum) society, so my live is not at risk daily..
But if there is a society breakdown and someone trying to kill me,
I would rather to be shot and dead by surprise.
Not shot while running in fear, nor die of a festering wound.

Thus brought me into "The Wish"..

I wish to be shot dead..

at the back of my head
by both barrel of a double barrel shotgun

by a jealous husband
at the age of 99

I'd suggest going down the range and doing a bit of 5 stand or Sporting Clays
But beware it is addictive.