As the Sporting Clays season is about to kick off, here are a few thoughts about how to start our new year, in the right direction. No, not my direction…what might be your best direction. Understandably, and rightfully so, a lot of attention is given to our equipment choices, making those choices a high priority. No arguments here, let’s make good choices. Right after that we’ll begin to polish our shooting, our methods and strategies, signing up for events we wish to attend. This is an intelligent, prudent approach. But is this what’s most important, the first question at the top of our to-do list? Those who climb the ladder to more consistency ...

 A miss is NOT a failure or disappointment... it is a fleeting opportunity to learn... a genuine opportunity to improve your game. Use every miss wisely... for it is a gift of great rewards to those who see the opportunity. ~ Daniel SchindlerParagon Master Sporting Clays Instructor and Wingshooting Instructor, U.S.Guild of Shooting Instructors. U.K.NSCA Level III Instructor, U.S.  _______________________________________________________   More about Dan Schindler:Dan Schindler is one of only 60 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors, U.K. and is one of the most highly respected Sporting Clays and ...

Eye Dominance Testing and Issues in Sporting Clays, Skeet and Trap  . . . Go Slowly Please I’ve just finished reading Peter Blakely’s informative article “EYE DOMINANCE Isn’t All It Seems,” in the March 2017 issue of Clay Target Nation. Based on my experience, Peter’s descriptive explanations are well written and very much on the mark, especially the high numbers of women who are cross or center dominant. When I went through Instructor certification training in the mid-1990's, we were taught that a cross-dominant shooter…an individual whose mounted gun was not under the dominant eye…could not hit targets with both eyes open. ...

The Truths in the clay target disciplines are not always accepted or met with approval. Myths die hard…especially older ones that have been handed down for generations. A classic example of this is choosing a choke for the target being presented. During the Paragon CIS classes, Instructor Candidates and their students are introduced to some revealing facts. David Taylor was a shooter in the box with Instructor Candidate Kate Ahnstrom. When asked to shoot the longer crossing target at slightly over 40 yards, David asked Kate if he could change his Skeet choke to something tighter. Kate correctly asked David to trust his Skeet choke, which he did, albeit with a little reluctance. ...