Shotgun Shooting

As with rifle shooting, good shotgun marksmanship begins with proper preparation, which includes adjusting your gun and ammunition for maximum performance and mastering shotgun techniques.

Shooting with Steel Shot

When shooting within 40 yards, remember:

Use a more open choke—improved cylinder or modified.
Use a larger size shot—3s instead of 4s; BBs instead of 2s for equivalent energy.
Pattern your shotgun—determine the best loads for your gun, choke, target species, and shooting distances.
Learn your personal sight picture and trigger timing by shooting crossing shots at clay targets thrown like birds in the field. Practice, then practice more!

Patterning a shotgun

Remember

Shots at game birds in flight should be limited to your “maximum effective range.” This is the distance at which you can hit the target consistently. Shooting beyond this distance leads to an increased number of birds wounded and lost. Also, firing at game too close may destroy the meat.

Alaska Department
of Fish & Game

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Alaska Hunting
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Official hunting safety course for Alaska hunters last modified: November 16, 2011
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