Monday, August 1, 2011

Introducing 'Butt, Belly, Beak, Bang!'

Who'd've thunk it?

Less than five years after taking up hunting, and less than one year after finally developing a little confidence in my shooting, I've got myself a column in Shotgun Life.

The column is called "Butt, Belly, Beak, Bang!" - a British phrase I picked up from my favorite gun maker, Dale Tate at the Camanche Hills Hunting Preserve in Ione, California. In case you're not a bird hunter, this is a reference to the "swing-through" technique of wing shooting.

I'll confess to a wee bit of irony here: My technique can range from swing-through to sustained lead to - OMG, Dale and my shooting instructor Harv Holcomb will kill me for saying this - holding still and waiting for the target to catch up to my muzzle. Depends on my mood at the time.

Harv.

Harv!

Don't yell at me, OK?

OK, while Harv is committing harakiri because of that confession, allow me to say that this column will not be a re-hash of blog material. Some repetition of facts and anecdotes is inevitable, because I can't exactly make up new "facts" about my experiences as a shotgunner and hunter. But the topics will be new.

This month's column, which went online today, is my best guess at how I went from being afraid of guns to having a safe bursting with them.

Next month's column ... well, it comes out September 1, and every self-respecting wing shooter who's lucky enough to live in a state like California will have one thing on his mind that day. You'll see what I mean next month.

In the meantime, though, please head on over to the new column, leave a comment there and sign up for some of Shotgun Life's e-letters. If you're a fellow shotgunner, I think you'll like what you see.

© Holly A. Heyser 2011

21 comments:

The Hunter's Wife said...

Congratulations on your new column. Well deserved!

Tovar@AMindfulCarnivore said...

Congrats, Holly!

Shewee woman said...

Congratulations Holly! I may have to pick up a subscription to Shotgun Life. Loved your first article, and OMG to have had a father with a gun safe, you are so lucky. All of my guns have been acquired through blood, sweat and tears. You might start thinking about another gun safe, I mean, it's not like you don't use them. Also, I would definitely bring the .410 home, you may have an opportunity to go marsh hen hunting.
You just can't have too many guns!

Barbara Baird said...

Congrats, Holly! Good fit. Irwin publishes a fine e-zine, and you are a great addition to it.

Phillip said...

Congrats! Big step, but you've definitely earned it.

Mike Dwyer said...

Congrats Holly!

Shotgun Kat said...

Congrats Holly, that is so awesome! You are my local hero!

Holly Heyser said...

Thanks everyone!

And Shewee Woman, my mother actually balked when I asked for that gun! I told her it was no good to her for self-protection, but she wasn't buying it.

So, Mom, if you're reading this: Can I at least borrow it??? :-)

Peebs said...

Finally killed that virus, congrats on you column. 410 not a good self-protection gun your 20 would be better although a pump would be even better nothing like the sound of a pump cycling to change a unwanted persons mind quickly.

Anonymous said...

Holly I would never slice my belly. Marine remember. Sometimes when you are shooting feathers you have to swing-thru, sometimes you don't. Some have nuts some don't. Just remember the guy's miss you and ask about almost every week. Congrats and Kill 'em all
Harv

Holly Heyser said...

Harv: Yay! Glad to know I won't be responsible for your demise. I know - I'm dying to get out there. Just been traveling with Hank a LOT. I actually have gone shooting - just at random times when I could get up and go, not on Sunday mornings.

Peebs: Shhh! Keep that up and my mom will want a sawed-off pump. Don't put it past her. She's bad-ass!

Peebs said...

Good for her did you notice the add for dove hunting on shotgun? Take a close look at picture funny looking doves,I do like the way it's written though.

Holly Heyser said...

Well, obviously Tom Knapp knows where the BIG doves are!

Michelle said...

That's really cool, Holly! Congrats!

SimplyOutdoors said...

I'm a little behind on this news, but congrats Holly.

Anonymous said...

I'm seriously late here but better late than not at all right?

Congrats Holly and I'm sure the column will be forever fabulous with you behind the keys!

Holly Heyser said...

Girl, I seriously miss having you in the blogosphere, so it's good to see you here now. Thanks!

Galen Geer said...

Hey, congratulations! You deserve it! Someday I will be able to say "I took her grouse hunting before she was so famous!"
Galen

Anonymous said...

Way late to the party, but I find this post the exact duplicate of my dove hunting experience and wing-shooting philosophy. In my third year of dove hunting I finally knew where I was hitting with my Wingmaster and really felt composed with each shot. I have read many thousands of words on wing-shooting and the four words that really put it all together were; butt, belly, beak....bang. Depends on angle, speed, distance, but in the end it all comes down to swinging through the bird and pressing the trigger when the proper lead has been achieved.

DEB said...

Holly my 12 year old daughter started trap this year. She us pretty excited & the gal that is helping her has taught her butt, belly, beak, bang & it has helped a lot. Was wondering if you would know of any t-shirts with this on it?

Holly Heyser said...

No, but that's a brilliant idea!