Dove Hunting 101: From Cornfield to Kitchen Flying targets are very difficult for most people, and dove are some of the most challenging of them all. With that in mind, let’s take a few minutes to ensure your shots count this year in the dove field. The fundamentals of shooting a shotgun are vital to becoming a successful dove hunter, as there are many things that contribute to actually hitting the target. You must avoid mental breakdowns and learn how to keep your mind from getting in the way of your fundamentals. In this article we will look in-depth at what those fundamentals are. Stance Your stance when shooting a shotgun should be different from shooting other guns. The placement of your feet is critical in having a smooth motion when taking a shot. For right-handed shooters, stand with your left foot in front of your right, about shoulder width apart or just under. Shift your weight slightly toward your lead foot to help brace yourself for the recoil of the shotgun. If the bird is coming directly at you, or going away, this is the perfect stance. Unfortunately, in the real-world birds come from every angle possible. Remember to shift your feet and open your shoulders in the direction the bird is coming from. By doing this you will gain a greater kill zone and have a more fluid swing. For left-handed shooters the stance is exactly opposite. Remember, if you pull the trigger with your right hand, the right foot goes back and if you pull the trigger left-handed, the left foot goes back. A good stance and good footwork are the first steps to shooting a shotgun accurately. It is inevitable that during a dove hunt there will times when your stance is off because of dove surprising you. They will come from all angles and sometimes you will not see them until you are already behind the eight ball. That’s okay. If you have the time to get your feet right, do it. In the times you don’t, your other mechanics will be more critical in making the shot.