My first trad kill - Finally!

[bowhunterportugal]

I know, it's not big game, but you've got to start somewhere        .

On this year Portuguese Game Fair I realized I was a natural to shoot flying targets on a Phoenix 65T25 trap from Laporte archery . Because I don't have the confidence yet to shoot big game, I decided to try bird shooting. Wood pigeons where my choice and here is the result!

 

 

They came fairly low and slow, at first it was hard to define the needed lead but once the first drop... Well, it was a memorable morning!

Let see when can I shoot some big game to share with you all.

Diogo

[rastaman]

Way to go sir!      

[huntnmuleys]

Wow that's cool as hell. Nice shooting.

[ti-guy]

[SheltonCreeker]

To heck with the big game that's awesome! Fine looking hunting partner as well!

[ChuckC]

great job.  Any hints on technique for the rest of us ?
ChuckC

[Joshua Grimshaw]

I think your ready for big game!

[DEATHMASTER]

Nice looking pup

[wooddamon1]

Great shot! Congrats!

[bowhunterportugal]

SheltonCreeker, that dog is my shadow and a very good hunter. I shot 7 pigeons and didn't moved my feet to retrieve them. She did all the work!

ChuckC, I'm a newbie at archery and therefore this might have been a lot of luck too. One thing I've notice is that you must aim bellow the bird trajectory. I was, years ago, sporting clay shooting instructor. One of the most important things in flying targets shooting is the target trajectory. If you get the trajectory right, 60% of the shot success is accomplished. Other thing you have to have in mind is that, most of bow shooting is done to static targets. They are mostly still. When shooting moving targets most of the people tend to stop the hand movement right before shooting. I had this issue in my student's that came from rifle shooting, either target or hunting. So, what I did was to apply a well known technique called passing trough. Basically I read the trajectory, draw the bow aiming right behind the target in it's trajectory, accelerate my swing to overcome the target (always in the trajectory!) and without stopping this overcome movement, release. You might need to adjust the lead perception in order to not release to soon, but it will work. There are basically 3 shooting techniques: Steady lead, passing trough and move-mount-shoot. This one should be easier than the steady lead but it all comes to practice.

Apart this, because I was shooting at step angles, I aimed low...

The rest I can't tell!

[4dogs]

 Good dog! Nice shootin

[huntingarcher]

Great shooting looks like big time fun.Great hunting partner.

[KentuckyTJ]

Awesome!

[GRINCH]

Thats amazing,good shooting.

[Izzy]

Whatever technique you used is some top shelf shooting. Congratulations to you and your dog.

[bowhunterportugal]

Thanks guy's, it was good fun.

[joe ashton]

out standing......

[Medic85]

Nice shootin.  Looks like a blast.

[bowhunterportugal]

I'll try film some further in the season when we start using live decoy's so everyone can enjoy my missing's...    

[JDinPA]

You're more than ready for big game.