Author: Scott Peters
You can sum up in a single word what you need to become a successful rifle hunter: practice. From learning to track an animal to making an accurate shot, practice is the key to everything.
If you're new to rifles and hunting, start with the basics. Learn how to clean your weapon and how to keep it in optimal condition. Practice this so your rifle is ready when you are. Learn how to use your rifle. Learn how to load the ammunition, aim, and prepare for the kill. Practice. Take instruction from a marksmanship instructor if possible. You will learn many tips this way to use your rifle, and the regular practice will make it second nature to you. Learn how to deal with the recoil and the noise of the rifle. Work with it enough that you won't flinch when it happens.
Practice your shooting. You want to be confident in your ability to handle the gun, and in your ability to hit what you're aiming at. Shooting ranges are perfect for this. Practice shooting until you are confident in your abilities.
Practice trigger control. You can set up your body and your rifle for the perfect shot, and it will all be for naught if you don't have trigger control. Jerking or anticipating at the last minute will ruin it every time. Practice until you have developed the right technique for your rifle, because every one is a little different. Go to a shooting range or set up a private range of your own if you have an empty field.
Practice your shooting positions. What will happen if the only way you can get that elk is by lying down on the ground and you've never done it before? Most likely, the elk will get to live another day and you'll go home disappointed. Practice, practice, practice. You can practice positioning yourself quickly anywhere... even your living room. Just make sure if you are practicing with your rifle to make sure it is unloaded. Accidents happen, and thinking you'll be safe just this once won't make it so.
Practice your breathing and relaxation when you set up for a shot. If you can't get to a shooting range, visualize every step you take to aim and get ready to shoot, and practice the breathing and relaxation needed for a steady shot.
Practice setting your scope and checking it for accuracy. If you rely on your scope and it has gotten out of whack, you won't hit your target. Practice this skill until you do it automatically.
Practice your kill shot. Don't wing an animal so it is injured but able to lose you in the forest. Know the best spots to aim for, and be able to set up the shot in moments. Your first shot should either be fatal, or close enough that your second shot is all that is needed to finish the job.
Practice shooting until you can call your shots. If it went off to the left, you should be able to tell. If it went too low, you should know that too. By practicing enough year round, you will ensure your success in hunting season.
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