Back to goose hunting

[fabsroman]

You are a tough man. I'd give people a little more slack than your new rule. New hunters won't be able to shoot as well as you. Trust me, I have brought plenty of city folks out that want to try hunting and it was a nightmare with their shooting skill. However, if I can get people interested in hunting it just makes it better for our sport.

With young kids, you have to remember that they are just way too excited just to even be out hunting. I remember my first goose hunt. My heart was pounding and I was breathing really hard as the geese were circling. I didn't miss the shot, but that might have been because I was 26 back then and had been shooting clays and hunting for quite a while by that time. Now, the heart doesn't beat that quick anymore, even though it does beat quicker, and I definitely have no problem breathing normally.

Just remember that people are trying their damndest to hit the birds. Nobody wants to wound them or be known as a bad shot. However, new hunters/shooters just don't have the experience. The best thing you can do is back them up while hunting and offer to take them out to the field afterward to shoot clays. For me, hunting is more about making friends and spending time with friends than killing animals, except I do feel bad when my dog doesn't get to retrieve anything. Obviously, we all have a better time when everybody limits out. Me, I would just be happy to be able to get out and hunt waterfowl this year.

Now, taking a shot before the shot is called is a different matter. I hate hunting with people that cannot listen and want to do whatever they want to do, to the detriment of everybody else.