BRASS and the AccurateShot by Todd Butler

“Shooting well with the rifle is the highest kind of skill, for the rifle is the queen of weapons: and it is a difficult art to learn.”  Theodore Roosevelt, Hunting Trips Of A Ranchman 

While I agree with Mr. Roosevelt that shooting well is the highest kind of skill I do not believe it is a difficult art to learn.  If the basics are learned correctly and applied consistently the majority of individuals will become capable shooters.  This is demonstrated, by both male and female Marines, on a regular basis in Marine Corps boot camp.  For many years the record for boot camp qualification score was held by a female Marine, Private Anita Lobos. 

The Marine method of teaching the basics of proper shooting starts with the acronym BRASS (B=Breath, R=Relax, A=Aim, S=Stop, S=Squeeze).  Following this simple formula will improve accuracy regardless of the type of shooting you are doing.  BRASS is about creating a synchronized rhythm leading to consistent shot placement. 

BREATH- You wouldn’t think this is as difficult as it proves for most of us, yet it is one of the most overlooked aspects of the shot process.  The natural action of taking in oxygen can make the difference between meat on the table and a trophy on the wall or a long walk for nothing but fresh air and frustration.  Frequently shooters will over-hold their breath until they are literally blue in the face, depleting the body and muscles of oxygen.  This causes you to shake and creating wild inaccuracy.  On the other extreme shooters will become so excited they hyperventilate, commonly known as “Buck Fever”.  Breath naturally, don’t overthink it.  Most shooters go through a phase of overanalysis of all aspects of their shooting technique.  This can lead them to attempt strange breathing patterns.  In my experience the most effective pattern is simply to breath in naturally and slowly exhale, until the sight is properly aligned with the target.  At this point simply relax, aim in, stop exhaling and squeeze the trigger.  By using proper breath control you can control the rise and fall of the sight.  This can be practiced at home, ensure your firearm is unloaded, point in a safe direction with a proper backstop (just in case) and practice breath control.  Observe the movement of the weapon sights as you inhale and exhale.  

RELAX- Again you wouldn’t think this is difficult, but for some reason many shooters become tense when they are shooting. As the body tenses the muscles become rigid and inflexible, movement becomes jerky rather than fluid.  This can create a tendency to hurry the shot.  Perhaps it is anticipation of the noise or recoil.  Perhaps they are worried about missing the shot rather than concentating on making the shot.  Relaxation and breath control are interrelated.  Proper breathing technique helps the body and muscles relax.  Relaxation minimizes distractions and increases focus.  Proper shooting technique includes a firm but relaxed grip on the firearm.  Don’t white knuckle the weapon, overgripping will cause you to shake, affecting the rest of the shot sequence.  A technique I have found to be highly effective is closing my eyes and visualizing the shot sequence from start to finish.  It helps relax my body and clear my mind.  At times the shooter will be in position too long.  It is necessary to let the muzzle come down and rest, then restart the shot sequence.  This is one of the hardest things for all shooters to do, but better to start over than hurry the shot, causing a miss.  With consistent practice it is possible to develop a relaxed rhythm which will lead to greater accuracy.      

AIM- Frequently shooters suffer from a lack of understanding of the proper use of the sight system on their weapon.  They don’t understand or have misconceptions about proper sight alignment/sight picture, natural point of aim.  To be an effective shooter you must understand the proper alignment of the rear sight, the front sight, and the placement of the sights on the target.  When using iron sights you should focus on the front sight.  It should be a clear distinct image.  The rear sight and the target should be fuzzy or indistinct compared to the front sight.  To establish your natural point of aim you should aim in relax and close your eyes, when you open them the sights will be at your natural point of aim.  Adjust your body position until you line the sights up correctly on your target.

STOP- This is simply a momentary pause before the trigger is pulled and the round is fired.  This is when all the elements come together.  Exhaling is momentarily paused, the muscles are relaxed, the sights are properly aligned with the target... STOP.  Stop all breathing, muscle and sight movement and squeeze the trigger.  The body is at its stillest point, ensuring greatest accuracy.  This moment only lasts a second or two before fatigue sets in.  This is one of the most difficult shooting skills to learn and must be practiced over and over, literally thousands of times to create muscle memory.  It should become a consistent, subconcious act. 

SQUEEZE-The trigger of the firearm should never be jerked or pulled, it should be squeezed straight back, firmly but gently.  The sound of the shot should be a surprise.  I use the center of the pad of the  index finger, roughly even with the nail bed of the finger to squeeze the trigger.  It allows me to move the trigger back in the straightest line possible, minimizing movement of the weapon.  Do not use the joint of the finger as it will cause the weapon to move slightly to the side during the trigger squeeze, affecting the placement of the shot.  As with all other elements of the shot this movement must be practiced repeatedly to create consistency and muscle memory.

During initial rifle training the Marines spend a week doing nothing but “Snapping In”.  This is simply repetitive non-firing excercises with the weapon to create muscle memory and proper shooting technique.  Most of us don’t have the luxury of time to spend snapping in, or a large drill instructor to ensure it is done correctly, but we can all invest time at the range practicing with our weapons of choice.  You do not need to put rounds down range to improve your shooting you can just concentrate on practicing BRASS.  Remember the phrase “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”  Take your time learning the proper techniques and speed will come as your technique develops.  The time invested will be worth it and will be reflected in your use of the Queen of weapons.

Sammie's Test Flight In Las Vegas 2009

Spotlighting one success story from Shoot Like a Girl’s Test Flight in Vegas 2009, is Sammie.  She was in the process of upgrading her bow, but hadn’t had and opportunity to try the bow she thought she wanted, and surely was not able to try bows from seven different manufacturers.  She shot all of the product line, fell in love with her bow, went home and ordered it from her local dealer with confidence.  She competed with her new bow just five weeks later at the NFAA National Indoor Championship!   Way to go Sammie!  

Shoot Like a Girl Talks About the Importance of Women in Shooting Sports on Two Radio Shows at the Field and Stream Deer and Turkey Expo, Madison, Wisconsin

Shoot Like A Girl is proud to have been featured on two live radio interviews at the Field and Stream Deer and Turkey Expo is Madison, Wisconsin on April 5^th and 6th, 2013!   

 

The first interview was with Shoot Like A Girl’s President and Founder, Karen Butler on Upfront with Vicki McKenna.  Butler was able to drive home the fact that women feel empowered when they participate in shooting sports, and they are vital to the preservation of our hunting heritage, and paramount to the industry’s success in changing the discussion in politics concerning firearms.  She also talked about the importance of a personal protection plan.  This interview is available at http://www.wiba.com/media/podcast-upfront-with-vicki-mckenna-vickimckenna/vicki-mckenna-hr3-friday-040513-23087135/#.UWhgQvyndmI.facebook (The opening segment).

The second interview was with Karen Butler and her Operations Officer, Cristy Crawford.  This interview on Ultimate Outdoors Radio and talked about the importance of getting mom’s out hunting, and the progression of women in shooting sports; plus Cristy demonstrates an exceptional duck feeder call.  Available online at http://media.ccomrcdn.com/media/station_content/10013/04-06-13_2013_Wisconsin_Deer_and_Turkey_Expo_1365260698_29984.mp3?CPROG=PCAST&MARKET=MADISON-WI&NG_FORMAT=&SITE_ID=10013&STATION_ID=WTSO-AM&PCAST_AUTHOR=The_Big_1070&PCAST_CAT=sports&PCAST_TITLE=Ultimate_Outdoors_Radio (Near the middle of the show). 

Vicki McKenna is one of Wisconsin’s most listened to Conservative Talk Radio Show Hosts, for more information about Upfront with Vicki McKenna visit www.wiba.com.  Ultimate Outdoors Radio is a partnership between three guys who like to spend time outdoors: Wally Banfi, Terry Frey and Gary N-Ski. Each brings a unique set of talents, experiences and perspectives to the team, find out more at www.ultimateoutdoorsradio.com .

Key to Long Rang Hunting - Leupold Range Finders! by Cristy Crawford

A Nebraska rifle hunt, chasing huge bodied whitetails was a check off the enormous list of life-long hunting adventures I consistently spend my spare minutes a day dreaming about. When I had the opportunity to drive up to Nebraska (equipped with a friends custom 7 short mag long range precision rifle) I jumped at the opportunity.  I had reached a stage in my hunting experience where I strived for the next biggest challenge. I had almost quit rifle hunting all together, when I became obsessed with the close encounters of bow hunting.  I had literally spent so much time bow hunting I was tucking a release out of the way that wasn’t there.  With long range rifles precision requires more skill than some inexperienced long range rifle shooters realize.  Similar to bow hunting, all the cards have to fall just right. Too much gusting wind or a small amount of shake due to nerves and you will miss your mark every time. 

Being a southern girl I haven’t had many opportunities to hunt in any extreme cold conditions.  I had left my warmer Texas November air for the breezy 40 mph wind gust of the first “small” snow of the season for Nebraska.  I did not have much experience with subzero wind chills, although I did have enough experience in the field to know I better pack enough quality layers for just about any weather situation mother nature could throw at me. 

I knew the odds were against me opening day of rifle season with snow blowing sideways at 40mph but I came to hunt and I was not about to stay at the hunting camp.  After passing on a few smaller bucks I headed back to camp to prepare for the next morning’s adventures.  However, this hunt was not filled with a renowned guide or luxurious lodge. I had a basic understanding of the ranch from some great guys that had hunted the land in previous years.  I had the opportunity to go out on my own with spot and stalk skills and great equipment. 

Earlier in the year I received a great product from Leupold Optics. The RX 1000 rangefinders equipped with archery angle compensation along with bullet ballistics and a pair of BX-2 Cascades 10x42 binoculars.  The one thing I didn’t know I was being equipped with was a rangefinder that would stand well above other rangefinders at camp, which were double and even triple the retail price of my Luepold.  The cold front pushed through and snow covered the beautiful sand hills. The wind subsided and sun shined bright and made an amazing glow off the distant snow filled hills.  I would soon find out the combination of two degree temps and sun reflecting off the snow made it impossible for other hunters to get a true yardage reading.  I never had a problem getting my Leupold rangefinders to get an accurate yardage. It helps to always range long range targets three times just to make sure you get an accurate reading.

Long range hunting is no place to skimp out on quality equipment. The terrain of the Nebraska Sand Hills makes every third step worthy of another view from the binoculars. What appears to be flat land is filled with hills and valleys perfect for big whitetails to travel undetected. Using the terrain to my advantage I worked my way about four miles from my vehicle.  Glassing every third step and taking my time, I had many close encounters with smaller bucks and does.  Unlike the 40mph winds I faced the day before this morning was perfect.  Minimal wind with the sun shining bright and reflecting off the snow covered hills. The fact that it was 2 degrees did not really matter. Deer were moving and it was only a matter of time and patience I would find the one. Finally I skirted around the back side of a hill and spotted a beautiful mature whitetail standing on the side of a hill.  Even without optics I could tell he was a large mature deer.  After confirming my excitement with my Leupold Cascades it was time to get in position for an ethical shot.   I decided to backtrack around the hill and get in position on the much flatter hillside to my left.  After what felt like thirty minutes of slow positioning I finally felt comfortable to set up for the long range shot.  I ranged without a problem and got three consistent numbers from my RX-1000’s. At 592 yards stood a mature 155 gross with 9inch split brow tined whitetail buck.  After a few minutes in the scope I was able to gain composure and squeeze off a quality kill shot. 

The peacefulness and serenity of the outdoors always brings me back for more.  Successful hunts aren’t always ones that end in kills. Enjoying the outdoors with others and the conversations about experiences are always some of the best times in the field.  It wasn’t until I got back to camp filled with excitement and the story of the hunt on the tip of my tongue just itching to get out of my mouth did I realize I was the only successful hunter in camp that morning.  Others had those amazing tails we as hunters have all listened to so many times about the one that got away.  Due to the strong glare of the sun and 2 degree temperatures my rangefinders were the only ones in camp to get a quality reading that morning and I was the only one with Leupold rangefinders in my pack.  It was at that moment that I realized just how lucky I was to have a great piece of equipment in my pack that morning.  I must send a big thank you to Leupold for making such quality equipment and for helping me with my largest whitetail to date.

Test Flight Comments

Here are some comments from our test flights ! 

Enjoyed the opportunity. Sadly I didn't understandenough about bows to really look them over. Now I am in the process of trying to purchase one and it is difficult.

3/14/2013 6:35 PM

I had so much fun. Karen Butler was amazing. She was very informative and easy to follow.. As far as purchasing a bow, I don't know what brand, but Karen gave me information on how to select one.

3/5/2013 11:09 AM

It was a great experience and the lady that helped me was a very good teacher. It definitely made me more interested in archery hunting and I may pursue that at a later date. I had a lot of fun!

3/4/2013 1:57 PM

Loved meeting Karen since I had just read an article about her prior to the RMEF Conference. Fist time attending the conference, didn't attend any classes so I don't know if there were any other classes that would have been helpful for someone first learning to bow hunt. Would also like more information on pros and cons of types of bows available and if any are better suited to women or body types/size.

3/4/2013 1:01 PM

The ladies were very knowledgable and made the experience lots of fun.

3/2/2013 3:22 PM

This has been my only opportunity to try a bow with a female instructor. Karen was so personable and helpful. She encouraged me to try and now I feel confident enough to buy one!

3/2/2013 12:34 AM

As far as buying a bow I would have to do some research but I can tell you it was fun and I would love to be on a range with more distance to get the true feel of what it is like.

3/2/2013 10:19

I think that is was a great idea. I have been thinking about getting a new bow and have seen several and this gave me the opportunity to try a few and see what i liked. Thanks

2/28/2013 11:22

Gave me confidence that I can shoot a bow!

2/20/2013 12:09 AM

I loved it the women was very helpful explained everything such as the difference between the several bows I shot over all it was great

2/12/2013 10:53 PM

I really enjoyed it I was the one that you did not have long enough for me as soon as I purchase one I will let you now the length

2/11/2013 1:32 PM

it was fun

2/11/2013 9:00 AM

It was awesome! They really gave good directions and didnt speak over my head like the guys like to do!

2/10/2013 4:04 PM

Karen was awesome! Very fun booth and nice made me end up going out to buy a bow ;-)

2/10/2013 12:06 AM

Karen really helped me with my form from pulling a bow back to my anchor point she was a professional...

A Successful 2012 Deer Season by Meg Grossman

            My family and I had an incredible year hunting whitetails in Pennsylvania. I drew first blood in the early archery season followed by a buck in rifle season!

I love hunting and especially enjoy bow hunting. That afternoon I was fortunate to spend it on an acorn infested hill side. My husband, Matt, was across the creek on the other hill side keeping watch on a food plot in a blind with our almost three year old daughter.

I was watching a flock of hen turkeys feeding as they pasted my tree stand. About eighty yards above me in a thick sapling area, something was harassing the few straggling hens. Even thou it wasn’t the coolest evening, deer just can’t resist acorns!

I started to piece together the movements of a doe moseying off the top of the hill for dinner. I decided she was a mature doe that would be a great harvest to start the season!

After about twenty minutes of analyzing her every move, drawing back and letting down once, I made the final range. Twenty-three yards. Perfect. Now if she just turned a little bit more.  She took one more step and started to feed.  I drew my bow back for the final time, settled in for a good clean shot. Thwack! And off she ran up the hill. I waited a little bit and heard a crash!

I radioed Matt that I shot a doe. Within a matter of minutes our daughter was with Grandma and Matt and my father-in-law were like hound dogs; head lamps on the ground sniffing out the next trace of blood. The doe went about seventy yards before she was expired. It was a great feeling to share the beginning of 2012 deer season with my family.

After the long awaited archery season was complete, rifle season was on and so was the snow!  I was really stoked for opening day.  I climbed my stand early that morning only to be greeted by the next door neighbor!  I don’t mind other hunters but when they make a ruckus all morning long, talk, cough, and push me over the edge, my blood boils. I was so disgusted by about 9 o’clock I was ready to get out of my little invaded piece of paradise. 

After noon we headed back out for a long evening sit where I knew the only florescent orange I would see would be my own. I chose the beloved double ladder stand where I had harvested a buck three years ago, when Taylor was born. I got comfortable and sat for a few hours without seeing much of anything. Then at about 200 yards I saw one doe, then another and another. The deer just kept walking out of the thicket right to me. I was pumped after my heartbreak from the morning hunt.

Doe after doe came by then young scruffy bucks.  They weren’t walking ten feet from the ladder of the stand!  I was looking for a certain few bucks but they weren’t playing fair.  Just when I thought all the deer were past me, I took one more look out front and I couldn’t believe there were two more bucks that walked around the roots of a fallen tree.  I turned up the magnification on my scope and counted the first one; a basket rack six point. Then I glassed the second buck. He was a nice eight point. They were about 100 yards out walking towards me.  I pushed the safety off and hunkered down.  I gave him a “mur” to grab his attention. When he stopped and looked up, I squeezed the trigger.  I heard the bullet hit something hard and the buck took off on a dead run.  He ran right under my stand and stopped not five feet behind my stand hidden by a huge maple tree. 

At this point I wasn’t sure if I even hit him, a million “what if’s” are running through me head.  I felt like I made a good solid hit on him but… I didn’t know. There was no doubt he was going to bolt out from behind this tree and would be gone.  I held the crosshairs on the other side of the tree and in a split second he ran. I touched one more off and he was into the dark pines where I could no longer see.

I gathered my shaken thoughts and shaking body and sat down.  At that time my husband calmly said on the radio “What are you blaz’n away at Meggy?”  I was a little nervous and super excited.

As I was waiting for the hounds to come, I saw blood on the snow where the buck had ran under my stand.  My nerves were slightly eased at that sight.  Finally the guys were here and we started tracking.  The “I’m not sure’s” were starting to come back because the blood trail wasn’t what I wanted to see. We kept walking thru the pines and then we saw his rack in the lights.  He was down!

It was a huge sigh of relief to see his big body piled up in the snow.  When we got him back to the house, Taylor was waiting to see the buck! 

Matt was the next one to harvest a great nine point later that week!  We are grateful for the time spent in the woods together and for the opportunity to harvest beautiful deer.

 

Women of Inspiration - Ginger Morehead

Shoot Like a Girl is running a series of articles about women who inspire us to participate in shooting sports.  These women have achieved, or are in the process of achieving, legacy status in the industry.  Our featured Women of Inspiration come from the Pro-Staff shooters for Hunter Safety System, a company dedicated to ensuring the safety of all of us tree stand hunters.  We were able to get together with Ginger Morehead of Stayin’ Safe w/Jessie and Ginger for our second featured Woman of Inspiration in this series.

Ginger Morehead is definitely another girl that we should look to for inspiration.  A lifelong hunter, she has turned her passion into a thriving lifestyle, a winning career as a competitive archer and a television celebrity.   I had seen Ginger at archery tournaments, and spoken with her briefly before, but never to the level of our interview.  It was exciting for me to see another woman who is unapologetic about her desire to win…and when I say win, it isn’t to beat everyone else that she strives for, but to do her personal best, to continue to improve her skills.  Although, with all the wins she has, it is a question as to what next?  She has been Shooter of the Year 6 Times, World Champion 7 Times, National Triple Crown Champion 8 Times and won the NFAA Championships 10 times!  That is a lot of wins, and a ton of practice! 

Ginger started shooting when she was four or five.  She grew up on a ranch, where hunting was part of the lifestyle, her family hunted, including her mom and her sister.  She hunted with a bow when she was nine years old.  She had a Bear recurve bow, and took her fist doe.  In case you were wondering, her first harvest was with a gun at six years old!  During college Ginger was not that involved in shooting sports, but thanks to her sister, Madeline (who is a retired police officer and competed in the Police Olympics) a Christmas present of a bow, turned out to be the contributing factor to her success today.

Talking to Ginger about hunting was definitely inspiring too.  Like many of the ladies we have talked to, Ginger’s best hunting memories involve her family.  Her favorite adventures have been over the last several years while hunting and filming with her husband Jesse.  She likes to film him on camera.  She also isn’t afraid to say she likes the harvest.  She thinks hunting bear is a great time, and she killed a 150 inch buck - watching him come across the field and getting to share that experience with Jessie, well, when pressed that is the favorite experience so far.  I must say, her explanation of hunting summed it up, “It is a combination of both, sunrise, sunset, nature at its best, but the harvest is the icing on the cake.”  Returning to her very competitive side, she wants to get something.

Focusing on Hunter Safety System, she stresses the importance of wearing harness.  She says, “Every year more and more people that we know and more that we don’t know get hurt, and it is so sad because the equipment is there and people don’t take advantage of it.”  She adds, “Most important is the life line, it keeps you attached from time you leave the ground to when you get back to the ground.”   Ginger, a lifelong hunter, has luckily never fallen without her vest on.  She talked about two stories that could have resulted in injuries, but for the Hunter Safety Vest. 

Ginger’s recommended equipment list is quite long (you will see some of Shoot Like a Girl’s Sponsors here too)  Straight from Ginger:  “Hunter Safety System (I love the new Lady Pro Series!!); Mathews (The Jewel is the best lady's hunting bow ever!!); Muzzy (I use the 75 grain 3 blade Muzzy...love them!); Realtree (They have so many cute items for ladies!!); Easton (I hunt with the Axis 500...light and durable...great for low-poundage bows!!  I shoot 3D with the Lightspeed 500 for same reason!!); Bohning (They have small vanes for small arrows and in every color you can imagine!!); Viper (The best hunting sight and target scope on the market!!); and Millennium Treestands (the most comfortable stand you'll ever use!!)”

Ginger Morehead talked about the benefits to women who get involved in shooting sports.  She reminds us that shooting sports are a lifetime activity that can start real young and go into old age.  Shooting sports are an outstanding family activity that will give the entire family something they can do together.  More often than not, women are the most lacking of the family to participate, she disagrees that there is a stigma that it isn’t feminine, because nothing looks better than an armed woman.  Once women get into it they can teach their children.  When dad isn’t part of the family due to divorce or death, it is up to the moms to carry on traditions with their children.

If ladies are interested in getting involved, she recommends the need to go to a good reputable pro shop, especially with archery.  Visit with people who are educated to fit them to the right equipment.  Specialty Pro Shops will have someone to help ladies shoot, and give them good instructions.

When Ginger isn’t filming, competing or practicing she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing and watching their 11 year old son, Jacob wrestle and play football.  I asked Ginger if she has anything else she wanted to add to this article.  Her statement when I look back at my notes is so true.  She stated that there is an entire world out there that most women don’t know about (shooting sports).  She was blessed to get involved with Jesse and Susan Thomas Davis to get into the competition side in archery, rifle and pistol.  She states that the shooting sports world is waiting for us to enter and enjoy the rights the we’ve been given through our constitution; that the more we can get involved, the more we can stand up for our rights and protect them from being taken from us.  She stressed that competitive archery isn’t just for professionals, that there is a place for everyone, amateurs and beginners are welcome.  And even though she likes to compete to do her best, she ended that it really is not only about the competition, but the biggest part of it are the people and friends you make.  So get out there and have fun!