Waterfowl: Footwork while Hunting

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

It happens so often that we stand up to shoot and realize we are not in a position to have a full range of motion for the incoming birds.  If you think about it, both right and left-handers have a strong and a weak side.  Right-handed shooters can rotate much further to the left than we can to the right. For left-handed shooters, it is the opposite. 

Dominant Sides Affect Footwork – And Accuracy

So thinking of the above statement regarding not being prepared, consider an incoming pair of fat mallards from the left to the right.  If we simply rise to shoot without thinking about the alignment of our feet we may never have a chance as our body movement is blocked right and we cannot swing to the right as far as needed. 

Yes, we can swing the gun, but this is a common reason for missing.  Once the gun departs the cheek all bets are off on hitting anything.

Angle Your Feet

For a left-handed shooter, the birds arriving from the right and moving to the left create a similar problem in our range of motion.  Try this the next time you enter the blind, stand up with your toes perpendicular to the blind front and rotate left and right.  Get them squared up and even with each other.  Get a feel for your range of motion.  Now stand up and turn your left foot to 12 o’clock, forward of your right foot, and your right foot to say 2 o’clock. See how this footwork opens your shooting to a right-hand swing, but blocks you from a full left-hand swing. 

Do this again only this time set your left foot at 10 o’clock, but behind your right foot your right foot at 1 o’clock ahead of your left foot.  Rotate now and see how well you move to the left but are restricted to the right somewhat.  I fully understand your thoughts, “why would I want to block my swing?” In a straight-forward stance, you are blocking both the right and left swing motion. 

Practice Your Footwork

It takes some practice and some concentration.  Among my friends I hunt with we often say to each other as birds are decoying to, “Keep your head down.” Not only so the birds don’t see us, but more because we tend to lift our heads and look around before shooting. That creates misses.  It would make more sense to say, “Get your feet right!” I can assure you that drilling footwork will reduce misses. In any case, it’s a good conversation piece the next time in the blind. 

The Blind is a place of camaraderie, stories, good laughs, and good food.  We all tend to sit comfortably. We pay little attention to our footwork as we move, ready to shoot.  Next time out, think about how you will place your feet from a sitting position. Or for that matter, from a standing position as birds approach the decoys.  You will indeed be less frustrated. 

Boat Position Helps Too

As a last word, don’t simply stop with your footwork, but think about the tip of your boat or chair as you hunt.  Consider it the same way you do your feet.  If you set your boat bow perpendicular to your hide you may be able to rotate both ways, but again equally limited in both directions.  Rather for a right-handed shooter set your boat bow to the right at maybe even 45 degrees allowing you to swing freely to both directions.  For a left-handed shooter point your bow 45-degree left of the perpendicular hide line. 

READ MORE: Waterfowl – Carry or Haul Your Gear