Wingshooting

When you shoot a flying bird, it is very important to watch the bird until it lands on the ground, and then mark the spot in your mind.

Take a mental snapshot of that exact spot where the bird landed.

• Is it close to a landmark such as a tree or a patch of weeds?
• How far away is it?
• Can you line up that spot with something on the horizon?

It usually seems as though you'll be able to walk right to it, but it is often more difficult than you think it will be. And once you've moved away from the spot where you took the shot, everything looks different, especially in heavy cover. The key is to mark the spot where the bird went down before you go to retrieve it.

If at all possible, hunt with a dog that is trained to find and retrieve game.