Hunting can be a good sport and a great way to get food on the table or get rid of pests.
Regardless of skill level, it’s good to know the different shooting positions and which are most commonly used.
Learning the different ones really helped me maximize my shooting experience by using the right ones for the right purposes.
I guarantee that by the end of this article, you will know EXACTLY what shooting position is best for you, and which are most commonly used.
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Common Shooting Positions
There are four different common shooting positions for hunting. These come with different levels of difficulty, stability, and speed.
If you take hunting seriously, I suggest you learn all of these. Here are the four shooting positions to ENHANCE your hunting game:
1. Prone
This is generally the hardest shooting position to get into because you would have to lay down on your belly to do this.
So what’s so good about this if it is hard to do?
Well, the prone position is the most stable position, leading to the most accurate shots.
While this is definitely for the more experienced hunter, it is still worth learning for a beginner.
What I did to get used to this position was to practice it on the grass (without the firearm), just to get comfortable with the overall feeling.
I also kept a mat underneath to make it more comfortable, so you can do that as well.
2. Kneeling
For the kneeling position, there is one knee placed on the ground and the other leg with the foot on the ground.
The forward leg with the foot on the ground acts as a SUPPORT for your elbow and arm.
The elbow should NOT be placed directly on the knee cap, it should be placed on the muscle of the leg to avoid any injuries!
In my experience, the kneeling position provides a little less stability than the prone position but is easier to get into.
3. Sitting
There are a few variations for the sitting position.
One where your legs are apart, one where your ankles are crossed, and one where your legs are completely crossed, like Indian-style.
I prefer Indian-style simply because it’s the most comfortable for me, but it all depends on you!
In the sitting position, both arms are supported, making it more stable than the kneeling position.
This is usually used by hunters who are leaning against a tree.
When I was a beginner, I found that it also helps to keep the rifle mounted on a bipod on a table or the ground for more support.
4. Standing
The standing position is the easiest shooting position to get in, as you don’t have to move that much.
It is great for when you get a lucky visit or early swoop of your prey and you have to shoot QUICKLY.
It also provides the best visibility for your target, especially when you shoot with both eyes.
However, among all the shooting positions, the standing position has the least stability.
Usually, professionals or more experienced shooters use this position as it takes a great deal of muscle strength and hand-eye coordination to be accurate.
Don’t worry, though. When I first tried the standing position, I wasted a lot of bullets until I finally landed accurate shots.
Practice makes perfect!
Proper Shotgun Techniques for Beginners
The best technique for a beginning hunter in shotgun shooting would be the swing-through method.
In order to do this, point your shotgun at the moving target and swing with it in the same direction.
You want to fire when you manage to swing through the target.
This means that you aim a little AHEAD of where the target is moving to. This is great for a moving target at a CONSTANT PACE, like a bird.
Of course, as a beginner in shotgun shooting, it is also important that you master all four different shooting positions to achieve the most accurate shot.
Best Rifle Firing Position
I wouldn’t say there is a best position. It all depends on your own strength and preference.
If you prefer the MOST STABLE position that requires the least strength, then go for the prone.
But if you want a better view of things, and have the strength to carry the gun, go for the standing position.
If you need something in between, then the sitting and kneeling positions work great.
Although I encourage you to practice every shooting position regularly and learn ALL of them.
The Four R’s
Before you go on hunting, just make sure you do so ethically. Ethics may seem like a difficult topic at first, but when it comes to hunting, you just need to remember these 4 Rs.
Respect for Self
Before you even begin to hunt, it is important to practice your marksmanship. You can do this with TARGET PRACTICE at home. This is so that when you go hunting, you can do the kill swiftly and cleanly.
Do the following:
- You need to learn about the game you are hunting and RESPECT their legal hunting seasons.
- You should also learn about the bag limits being set, so you can stick to them.
- Remember to plan and PREPARE before going on a hunt. You want to make sure you have everything you need, including your hunting license.