Chapter 3

Basic Shooting Skills(pages 23-31 in "Today's Hunter" guide book)

1. Guiding Questions

   • Why would marksmanship and shooting skills translate to a safer and more productive hunting experiences?

   • How do you determine the appropriate firearm and technique to match your hunting situation?

2. Learning Targets(Objectives)

   • I can define "good marksmanship" and describe three fundamentals to improve marksmanship.

   • I can demonstrate the four proper positions for rifle shooting, shotgun stance, and handgun stance and grip.

3. Key Vocabulary

   • Sight Alignment

   • Minutes of Angle(MOA)

   • Prone

   • Pattern

   • Swing-Through

   • Sustained Lead

4. Optional Ideas for Instructional Practices

   • Discovery Learning

     • Teacher presents various examples of shotgun patterns(printed), students have to organize the patterns however they see fit and describe their reasoning. Example: Jimmy organizes his pattern sheets in order from the largest area filled by the shot to the smallest area filled by the shot. He then describes how the larger pattern area would allow for more error in shot, but would not hit the target with as many individual BBs.

   • Teacher led discussion

   • Jig Saw Activity

     • Break classroom into small groups(2-4) and assign them a section of the chapter. They will read and discuss their section within their group. After all groups have had time to discuss amongst themselves they will present their section to the entire class.

   • Hands On Demonstration and Practice

     • Dominant Eye exercise: demonstrate how to determine your dominate eye(video link below)

       • https://www.allaboutvision.com/video/dominant-eye.htm

     • Using a long stick(in place of a firearm), demonstrate various shooting positions and stance

     • Using a long stick and a toy bird on a string, demonstrate swing-through and leading moving targets

   • Problem Based Group Discussion or Think-Pair-Share

     • Small groups debrief and describe their ideas to answer the following question:

       • If the prone position is the most steady position, compare it to the standing position and describe why standing would provide a less steady position.

       • Hunters respect and honor the game animals that they are hunting. Hunters always strive to minimize the suffering of animals who are wounded by misplaced or poor judgment shots. Why is becoming proficient with your firearm so important to executing an ethical shot on your target game animal?

5. Supplemental Questions or Activities

   • Science Connection: An accurate shot requires extreme precision and steadiness. What connection exists between heart rate and breathing that would relate accurate shooting?

6. Supplemental Videos

   • Ballistics Understanding the Different Choke Types

     • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2zyCpGt_BQ&list=PL4r2Ml7ccVx8IoTnTms26rNQ0cT1zKB4-&index=13

   • How to Pattern Your Shotgun

     • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvecAalKpB4

   • How to lead a target when shotgun shooting

     • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jooYRlBFF8Q

   • Entire Rifle Video Series via Hunters Connect

     • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_YKP0Q16rj4Abwo0bX23OiGlR5UY0SdA

7. Optional Props

   • Sample Targets

   • Telescopic sight(on or off of a firearm if permitted at your location)

   • Ear protection

   • Eye protection

   • Toy bird or cardboard cut out of a bird on a string

   • Long stick to represent a firearm(if firearms are not permitted at your location)

8. Additional Resources

   • Article: Shooting for Safe Hearing

     • https://tohear.com/shooting-for-safe-hearing/