A basic part of human development is learning and growing. We grow as we get older, we grow from experience and we grow from our mistakes.
A huge part of our growth is through repetition; yes, practice. Let’s look at one of the greats, Julie Golob. Captain of the Smith & Wesson Shooting Team, Julie’s a pretty decent shooter. Of course, I am kidding—she is a great shooter and wonderful ambassador for the shooting sports. Julie, like all of the greats, practices a lot—dry-fire practicing away from the range and live-fire practicing on the range—along with reading about shooting techniques and discussing shooting with instructors and fellow competitors.
I wonder what would happen if I practiced as much as Julie? That’s a crazy amount of practice, and I know I will never be as good as she is. Of course Julie would disagree, but that is just the kind of person she is. If I practice enough, though, and within my limits, I know I will be better than I am today, and that is all I can ask of myself.
As new shooters, we must realize that we do not have to compare our shooting abilities to others’, especially those who have been shooting longer than we have. What we can do is focus on developing sound fundamentals and being safe. Through regular practice, we must continue to improve our skills and abilities in order to get better. When we practice, we are actually having fun. Dry-firing with a firearm (unloaded and always pointed in a safe direction), going to the range and hitting targets and entering shooting competitions are ways for us to improve our shooting skills and have fun doing it.
Shooters are the friendliest people on the planet. They are always willing to help a new person in the sport, whether it is getting started, sharing tips on equipment or just answering questions.
NSSF can help, too. Make use of our library of video tips on practicing with a handgun, rifle or shotgun. Check them out at www.youtube.com/thenssf. Then find a range at www.wheretoshoot.org and watch and talk with other shooters. Get involved, join a shooting organization, enter competitions, get your practice in and get better. That’s how we all work to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports.