AboutDave Nyce Expertise I have been an NRA certified rifle, pistol, and shotgun instructor for over 15 years. I was on the Temple University archery team, and was a pistol team captain at a gun club in Pennsylvania for 5 years. I have built muzzle loader handguns and rifles. I have used all of these weapons for hunting. I hunt North American big game, small game, and waterfowl. I can answer questions on hunting safety, getting started as a hunter, equipment and techniques for various types of hunting.
Experience NC certified CCW instructor (concealed carry of weapons). Endowment member of the NRA, Life member of: NC rifle & pistol assoc., National Trapper's Association, and Grass Roots NC.
Question Hello,
I have been hunting now for about 14 years. I love to hunt whitetail, rabbit hunt and duck hunt. Here is my problem... when I am rabbit hunting or duck hunting and so called "snap shooting" I am fine, but when I am deer hunting and am looking through a scope and shooting slugs (live in DE. no rifles just shotguns) I have a terrible anticipation of the gun going off and flynch. I have been pretty succesful with deer hunting, have killed a couple of "decent" bucks and always get meat for the table but I can't break this flynch! It's driving me crazy. How can I remedy this? Your help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Glenn
Answer You can start out by wearing ear plugs. Or even ear plugs with muffs over that. Make sure that you hold the gun stock close against your shoulder. You can also add a pad to the butt plate.
But here's how to tackle the problem: I think that being able to verify when you are and when you are not flinching will lead to an understanding that can cure the problem. So, mount a video camera on a tripod and film yourself shooting at the range. Have a sheet of paper, and with each shot, note down how you felt about that shot.
Then review the tape while you're still at the range. See what your flinch looks like, and compare to your notes. Then repeat.
