Hunters and gun afficionados obsess over that accuracy of their rifle systems. In a world full of high power scopes and sub MOA guarantees chasing smaller groups is intoxicating. Despite the prevalence of affordable, ultra precise rifle systems hunters still miss all the time when it counts. While there are many reasons for this, one of the most common is that people rarely practice how they use their rifles in the field. A great drill to practice real world shooting positions under pressure is the Hunter Shooting drill.
Origins
While I’m sure this is not the original source for this drill, I originally learned about it on Rokslide. The drill cuts out all of the classic practice tropes that lead to poor shooting on game. There is no shooting off of a bench or a bipod, there are time limits, and the supported portions use supports you’ll actually have with you while hunting. The important thing about this drill is as hunters we are thing-hitters and not group shooters, and accuracy is just as important as precision. Additionally, adding time constraints simulates pressure in the field where opportunities are often fleeting.
Targets and Positions
The drill utilizes a simple target that has four circles of various sizes. I’ve attached a pdf below that prints on standard 8.5×11 printer paper with all four targets on it. The circles are 7, 5, 3, and 2 inches.
Shooting takes place from four different positions and each stage starts with your pack on your back holding your rifle standing. Each position shoots at a corresponding circle; Bigger circles are used for the less stable positions and smaller circles for the more stable positions. The 7 inch circle is shot at offhand, the 5 inch circle from seated unsupported, the 3 inch circle is from seated supported, and the 2 inch circle from prone. The prone position is shot off of a pack, not a bipod or a sandbag.
Shooting the Hunter Drill
I like to think of the Hunter Drill of consisting of three relays and so I’ve broken the drill down as such below:
Relay One
The first relay consists of shooting two rounds from each position at the corresponding circle. There is no time limit, so take your time and focus on the fundamentals. After firing two rounds from each of the four positions at their respective circles, tally up how many hits you have, giving you a score out of 8.
Relay Two
The second relay is identical to the first relay, but this time there is a time limit. Starting with your pack on your back for each position you have 20 seconds to get two shots off from the given position. For prone, the par time is reduced to 15 seconds. If a shot is not broken before the timer goes off, it does not count as a hit. After this relay, count your hits and get a second score out of 8.
Relay Three
The final relay of the Hunter Drill incorporates all of the positions. Start standing and shoot one round standing, one seated unsupported, one seated supported, and one prone at each circle for four rounds total. This time, there is a par time of 1 minute for all four shots. The timer is running as you move between positions, so it is key to being efficient building your positions. Count your score out of four.
Benchmark Results
Adding up your scores for the three relays you will get a score out of 20. Personally, I am happy if I am shooting 15 or higher on the drill. Most shooters will be below 10 the first time they shoot this drill. A benefit to the way the drill is structured is that you can see which positions are strong and which need work. After watching different shooters shoot the Hunter Drill usually the offhand and prone targets are the ones shooters struggle with.
Final Thoughts
The Hunter Drill has really helped me improve my shooting on rushed shot opportunities from field shooting positions. Another benefit I have seen is it has provided a good benchmark for new hunting rifle platforms. When I try a new rifle, optic, stock, or otherwise change a platform I can shoot the Hunter Drill and compare scores to how I have done with other rifles.
In closing, shooting off a bench is important for getting a precise zero and assessing a systems inherent accurately. However, if we are honest with ourselves there are no benches in the woods and we as hunters are almost always the limiting factor in real world conditions. Invest your valuable practice time where it will have the biggest impact, and work on your field shooting instead of fine tuning your handloads. I shoot this drill virtually every time I go to the range, and most hunters would be better off if they did too.