Wing shooting

Shooting with a shotgun at birds in flight. Requires quick reactions and good shooting technique.

Shotgun hunting on birds in flight is technically demanding but very rewarding. The bird flushes suddenly, you swing the shotgun with it, lead ahead, and pull the trigger. It all happens in a couple of seconds.

The foundation is good shooting technique. Shotgun shooting is about following the target with your body, not your arms. Swing from the hip, keep focus on the bird (not the bead), and shoot while moving. If you stop your swing, you'll miss behind.

The clay pigeon range is the best place to practice. Shoot at least 200 rounds before the season starts. Many hunters shoot too little and wonder why they miss in the field.

For ptarmigan hunting in the mountains, a light 12 or 20 gauge shotgun is often used. A short barrel (66 to 71 cm) gives a quick swing. Cartridges with shot no. 5 to 7 in 28 to 32 grams are standard.

For goose hunting, you need more stopping power: 12/76 with steel shot no. 1 to 3. The goose is large and hard to bring down, and you often shoot at longer range.

Forest grouse hunting with a shotgun requires quick reactions in dense terrain. Black grouse and capercaillie flush heavily and fly straight. That gives a short shooting window between the trees.

Safety: Always know what is behind the target. The shot pattern spreads, and at 50 meters it covers a large area. Never shoot low when other hunters are in the terrain.