Shotgun Shooting Tips

A hunter in cap and sunglasses holding a shotgun.
An instructor guiding another person shooting a shotgun into the air.

Hunter's Field Shooting Zones

From a perspective of field shooting safety and etiquette, two hunters who are sharing a day afield should observe certain zone of fire protocols. When hunting in tandem with a dog and handler between, it is critical that shots are only taken at a height above the horizon, and within the appropriate ‘zone’ for either left or right side hunter as shown in the diagram.
Red and yellow shotgun shells piled on a wood table.

How to Pattern a Shotgun for Upland Hunting

Shotguns for upland hunting possess either one or two barrels (though in rare cases as many as four can be found on the same gun). The end of the barrel from which the shot exits is known as the muzzle. The muzzle of a shotgun barrel is assigned a constriction or choke based on how rapidly and to what degree the pellets are intended to disperse.
A person loading two shells into a shotgun.

10 Rules of Gun Safety

Sometimes, we all need a reminder. These are the ten cardinal rules of firearm safety.