Shooting tips
from an expert
NATIONAL SHOOTING TEAM
MEMBER ASMIR ARIFOVIC
KNOWS THE WAY
BY ALLEN MACARTNEY
F
ish, Hunt & Ride Magazine sat
down with Asmir to get an
insider’s expertise. He’s been a
member of Canada’s National Shooting
team for 10 years, and competed
internationally at seven World Cups.
FHR: How much do I have to spend for a good rifle?
Asmir: Even inexpensive modern rifles today are
good quality and are fairly accurate. Spend as much
as you can because more expensive rifles tend to be more accurate.
But if you’re only going to use the rifle several times a year, and
you’re not a competitive shooter, then a less expensive rifle might
suit your needs perfectly.
FHR: What about ammunition?
Asmir: Shoot the best ammunition you can afford. Accuracy is as
important when hunting as it is during an international competition.
Most hunters don’t shoot very many rounds of ammunition a year,
so buying cheaper ammunition doesn’t really save much. Why miss
that buck you’ve been dreaming about because you didn’t spend an
extra $10 on good ammunition? Find out what ammunition your rifle
performs best using, and then stick to it.
FHR: How often should I sight in my rifle?
Asmir: Often. Every time you put your rifle down, your sights or
scope can get knocked or moved. That reduces your accuracy. Even
changing ammunition will affect your accuracy. Sighting in your rifle
is like sharpening a good knife. Do it often.
FHR: Is there any need to go to a range if I only go hunting several
times a year?
Asmir: Absolutely. Think of a rifle as a tool. The more familiar you
are with it the better you’ll shoot. Going to a range makes you very
familiar with your rifle: how it feels, where it sits most comfortably
on your shoulder, what the trigger pull feels like before it breaks,
how the safety moves, how to load quickly, how it
shoots at various distances. It also makes you a
more confident, steadier and safer hunter. Some
hunting situations require very fast, snap shots.
That’s when practice and range time pays off.
Hunters know that they’re going to feel adrenaline
and stress when a deer appears, so range practice
will help over-ride the pressure.
FHR: What about trigger control?
Asmir: Triggers on hunting rifles have heavy pulls,
so you need a good grip but make your trigger pull
nice and smooth: no jerking, slapping or yanking.
And you learn smooth trigger pull under stress-free
conditions – on the range. Doing so will lay a good
foundation for shooting. Take your time with each
shot. Don’t anticipate it. When your muscles automatically deliver smooth trigger pull consistently,
change the scenario to include more rapid firing,
but always while maintaining smooth trigger pull.
www.fishhuntandride.ca
Asmir Arifovic
FHR: Is breath control important for
sighting his rifle
hunters?
Asmir: You bet. Breathing moves your body. As your lungs take in
air and expel it, your rib cage also moves up and down. So take one
or two breaths and hold it before you start your trigger squeeze.
This will eliminated one of the big causes of body movement –
breathing.
FHR: Hunters don’t need to be expert shots do they?
Asmir: Hunters don’t need a “perfect” shot, but they need a
“good enough” shot at an animal, and that’s what range work will
deliver. Knowing that adrenaline and excitement will naturally
degrade your accuracy, it’s always best to try for perfect accuracy.
You also want to be humane when killing an animal. Make it quick
and fast. That’s a responsibility. As well, an accurately delivered shot
will damage the meat very little.
FHR: Any final advice?
Asmir: Be smooth and try not to anticipate your shot too much. If
you miss and have to shoot again, psychology starts working against
you. After a miss, you start doub