Cosd Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 When aiming at the bird flying, do you close one eye? I remember the clay pigeon instructor telling me to keep both eyes open; It's almost instict to close one. Before the wise cracks start pouring in, my shooting mimics both eyes being closed at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 2 eyes open, and if you aim at a flying bird you will likely miss. Can I suggest a session on the clays. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nav54 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 when shotgunning i all ways close my left eye but when rifle shooting i keep both open never really thought why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewis Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 yeah same as nav for me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutley Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 At the end of the day it's your preferance....... But having both eyes open has many more advantages.... Better judgement of distance...Wider field of view, thus aiding to pick up other targets more readily. As with anything that dosnt come easily gie it time and practise..... All the best mate in which ever way you choose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poacher Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 two eyes until i've picked up the target, then one for taking aim and the rest........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Webber, I did have a clay pigeon instruction that's where I got the 2 eye open advice. But I read a thread here today which talked about 1 eye open, so my memory started questioning itself as to what I was told. The instructor told me that if a target is moving left to right (if you are right handed like me) then you cannot see the target when you are swinging ahead of it if your left eye is closed. Makes sense but I still have to really concentrate not to automatically close my left eye. It's just instinctive to shut 1 eye when aiming a gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundowner Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I have been asking myself that question for some time and still haven't figured it out Miss most of them whatever I try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I have been shooting for too long and I have always closed my left eye when shooting, it works for me. Do what you are comfortable with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 (edited) Both eyes open if possible, this assists as it gives bi-ocular vision for range assessing and peripheral vision for a possible second barrel when multi birds pay a visit, if you use one eye it can limit these capabilities but anything can be got used to. Took me a long time to shoot both eyes open after rifle shooting for many years . now i shoot cross eyed Edited February 12, 2008 by deny essex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Both eyes open if possible, this assists as it gives bi-nocular vision for range assessing and peripheral vision for a possible second barrel when multi birds pay a visit, if you use one eye it can limit these capabilities but anything can be got used to. Took me a long time to shoot both eyes open after rifle shooting for many years . now i shoot cross eyed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I have always thought the "periphery vision" reason for keeping both eyes open is a bit dodgy. Mount a shotgun and sight down the barrel at an object 30 yards away and then, whilst concentrating on the target, close one eye and then open both eyes (still concentrating on the target). The amount of extra vision you gain is minimal. You also can't "view" the periphery areas without taking your concentration off the target..............well I can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deny essex Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Takes some practice but peripheral vision is used by us all one way or another , if you drive you no doubt use it, seeing the passing car in the corner of your eye without actualy moveing your eyes or the babe with the boobs on the beach so the mrs cant see you , but to what degree you concentrate on it or let it distract from your main vision is a matter of training or bravery on the beach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 The advice so far overlooks you as an individual and the quality of your eye sight. In shotgun shooting, you have a dynamic 3 dimensional environment in which you are shooting. If you can shot both eyes open, you get increased perception of the speed and distance of the target. As soon as you close an eye, that is reduced. How-ever, many people have eye dominance issues, where the off eye takes over fully or partly. Then closing the off eye is helpful as you get a clear sight picture with the shooting eye. If your comb is too low, your brain will fill in periphery vision from the left eye ( the right eyes saying I cant see 1/2 my field of vision, ), and that will pull the gun off line. Several cures, eye training using a device like an Easy hit bead, both eyes open. Use a centre vision dot like Eye Master patches. With the gun correctly fitted, this dots out the centre vision of the off eye, but leaves full vision when the gun is down, for target visual acquisition, and leaves periphery vision in tact while the gun is mounted so speed and direction analysis is still possible. The other way ( and how I shoot) is to acquire the target both eyes open, and close down the off eye as the gun hits the shoulder so that with a single eye you see the sight picture accurately. What you need to do to maximise your score is individual to you and your eyesight. Go see an experienced coach. Jerry Senior CPSA Coach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricky green Posted February 14, 2008 Report Share Posted February 14, 2008 hi cos your wobbley friend here.Signed up to the fourum.Lets see if i can pick up any tips.For got to tell you should be able to use the inserter with the deeks on them. P.S both eyes open is my choice(works 4me most of the time) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 hi cos your wobbley friend here.Signed up to the fourum.Lets see if i can pick up any tips.For got to tell you should be able to use the inserter with the deeks on them. P.S both eyes open is my choice(works 4me most of the time) How you doing wobbler friend? Welcome to the forum :lol: Hey guys this is a top fella who's made a great product, you should get in touch with him. Oh and one more thing....a gent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head Shot USA Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Well can't say any of the info given here is bad. As a general rule both eyes open while shooting shotgun is preffered. But as stated we as indaviduals differ in one way or another. The way you mount your shotgun will have the largest determination if you will be shooting high or flat. This can really mess a beginner up. The comb of your stock will differ with different shotguns. To shoot flat your eye should be even with the top of the barrell. If your eye is lets say an inch above the top of the barrell you will be shooting high. There is no rear sight on a shotgun to force you to mount it properly. You must train yourself to do so. Which eye is your dominant Eye? Take your index finger and point at an object. Do so with both eyes open, close your left eye. Are you still pionting at the object? If not, your left eye is the dominant one, if you are then your right eye is. I myself mount to my right shoulder and my right eye is the dominant one. So I can comfortably shoot with both eyes open. My son also mounts on his right shoulder but his left eye is his dominant eye. So he closes his left eye or elts he is seeing the side of the barrel. Remember you point a shotgun and aim a rifle. Don't be looking at the bead at the end of your barrel, it should just be there. Keep your eye or eyes on the target. And follow through with your shot. Don't stop following your target just because you pulled the triger, keep the barrell moving (follow through). If you don't follow through most likley you will be shooting behind your target. It's not hard to hit a moving target. It's just so dag bum easy to miss one. I hope this helps. Best Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 (edited) We've actually touched on a much-discussed subject. If it is possible to shoot a shotgun with both eyes open, ie. Correct eye dominance, do so, without a doubt. The dynamic 3D vision Clayman mentioned is a vital part of our hand to eye coordination skills. Everyday stuff such as driving, and most sports, will rely heavily on these skills. Binocular vision will give angles, speeds, distances, and peripheral vision, to a far higher degree than just monocular. If however, cross dominance is even the slightest issue, closing the 'off' eye, dimming it, obscuring it, Easyhit bead, Easydot etc, (shooters preference), will be the only way forward, other than switching shoulders. Some shooters close one eye from habit, but shoot well despite of, rather than because of. If in the slightest doubt of your eye dominance, see a qualified coach, and from there, you will be able to make an educated choice as to the best remedy for you. Be aware, closing the 'off' eye at the last second, can, cause the shooter to suffer from Latent Vision, where the picture seen by the brain before the 'off' eye is closed, can remain, in the brains 'minds eye'. Also, cross dominance can be sensitive to distance, a shooter appearing to have correct dominance at say 10 feet, may suffer from cross dominance at say 50 feet. So as previously mentioned, see an accredited coach to clarify any eye issues you may feel you have. This post assumes the shooter has a correctly fitting gun, and a decent gun-mount. Pirate: Edited March 15, 2008 by Pirate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 To put it simply, if you shoot right-handed, and your right eye is the strongest of the two, shoot either with one or both open, whatever floats your boat and you are happy with, if you shoot right-handed and your left eye is the strongest, (as mine is) close the left eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 To put it simply, if you shoot right-handed, and your right eye is the strongest of the two, shoot either with one or both open, whatever floats your boat and you are happy with, if you shoot right-handed and your left eye is the strongest, (as mine is) close the left eye. Bob, In a nutshell, Yep! Mine was the long winded version. Pirate: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DramaQueen Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Mine was the long winded version. Pirate:[/color] Where did you copy and paste that lot from you old dog Smilie mad Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 (edited) Where did you copy and paste that lot from you old dog Smilie mad Sarah Now, now, I have it all stored upstairs! You can try to pick holes in it if you dare!! Pirate: Edited March 15, 2008 by Pirate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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