Ground-pounding opinions

I won't ground pound unless it's wounded and running.

I've had ducks and geese land in my spread and I'll try to startle them up in the air before I'll shoot. TBH, I don't know why I do it, just something I've always done.
 
revs2ninegrand said:
I won't ground pound unless it's wounded and running.

I've had ducks and geese land in my spread and I'll try to startle them up in the air before I'll shoot. TBH, I don't know why I do it, just something I've always done.
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Same here...winged, running, in the open (not in heavy cover) and I am certain I know where all dogs (and people) are.
I am pretty sure duck hunters don't shoot the ducks in with their decoys.
I think most hunters that release the safety when the bird flushes, would be surprised by how many hunt with the safety off. I don't even think that is uncommon....anyone care to share when their safety is clicked-off?
 
remy3424 said:
Same here...winged, running, in the open (not in heavy cover) and I am certain I know where all dogs (and people) are.
I am pretty sure duck hunters don't shoot the ducks in with their decoys.
I think most hunters that release the safety when the bird flushes, would be surprised by how many hunt with the safety off. I don't even think that is uncommon....anyone care to share when their safety is clicked-off?
Click to expand...

Oof, this is a tough one to admit and I'll probably be chastised for this but in all honesty I flip mine on and off all the time. If I feel it's a "good spot" I'll flip it off, if the dog gets birdy it's off. I always, always, always make sure the muzzle is in a safe direction though, which I do know doesn't make my actions "right".
 
I always keep mine on until I'm ready to fire. That's what they teach in gun safety class.

You should be able to raise/shoulder your shotgun and release the safety in one motion. After a while, it simply becomes routine. Walking around uneven terrain through swamps, cornfields, grassland, and other brush with the safety off is a recipe for disaster and the most extreme outcome...use your imagination on that one.
 
My safety has been off before by accident and if a bird flushes and I don’t feel the click it is totally weird and I’m frozen and fiddling with the safety…probably don’t get the bird
 
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gim said:
I always keep mine on until I'm ready to fire. That's what they teach in gun safety class.

You should be able to raise/shoulder your shotgun and release the safety in one motion. After a while, it simply becomes routine. Walking around uneven terrain through swamps, cornfields, grassland, and other brush with the safety off is a recipe for disaster and the most extreme outcome...use your imagination on that one.
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This. Switching the safety off is part of the motion of mounting the gun.
 
remy3424 said:
Same here...winged, running, in the open (not in heavy cover) and I am certain I know where all dogs (and people) are.
I am pretty sure duck hunters don't shoot the ducks in with their decoys.
I think most hunters that release the safety when the bird flushes, would be surprised by how many hunt with the safety off. I don't even think that is uncommon....anyone care to share when their safety is clicked-off?
Click to expand...
When the gun hits my shoulder and I am going to pull the trigger.
 
AtTheMurph said:
When the gun hits my shoulder and I am going to pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
But the question is, "When do you release (click-off) the safety?"
1. Once you enter the field
2. When the dog seems birdy
3. When the dog locks on point
4. When the bird flushes
5. What are you talking about, it is always off
6. Once you ID the bird as a rooster

Not sure ow I got things out of order...using a phone on my lunch break. Looks a bit better now.
 
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I am a 4, in a hen flush I am click, click. click, click, click (off, on, off, on, off, on). My index finger lives on the safety, if I am in any cover.
 
remy3424 said:
Same here...winged, running, in the open (not in heavy cover) and I am certain I know where all dogs (and people) are.
I am pretty sure duck hunters don't shoot the ducks in with their decoys.
I think most hunters that release the safety when the bird flushes, would be surprised by how many hunt with the safety off. I don't even think that is uncommon....anyone care to share when their safety is clicked-off?
Click to expand...
In waterfall honey, you don't let them land, and you want to take a challenging shot. Not you know 5 ft in front of your barrel.
 
In my videos I typically run a slo-mo replay of each bird I shoot, sometimes I can hear the safety clicking off when I’m mounting the gun. I cannot for the life of me imagine just walking around with the safety off. Realistically I’m never touching the trigger anyways, but come on.. if people are flipping their safety off before mounting the gun/when the dog is birdy are they putting their fingers on the trigger too? Sadly, probably yes. I guess that’s why I can’t bring myself to hunt with friends no matter how safe they claim to be.
 
I push safety off when bird flushes and I am raising my gun. Sometimes I start the mount/safety off process and see that it's a hen. My safety immediately goes back to "safe." I really like the guy who said, "always keep your muzzle pointing up." That's a big deal for me while hunting. Dogs, your feet, other people's feet, etc. If you are taking a gab break, giving the dog water during group hunting, or playing grabass and want your muzzle down for a rest, then empty your chamber and keep the action open.
 
Back to ground pounding. Never for me--I just send one of my labs. It's a hoot watching them on long chases of running cripples. If it's an open field the dog always wins.
 
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