MOUNTING TO YOUR CHEEK

To get the mount right there are a few things we can do to aid consistency. Many people get it wrong right at the start by mounting the gun to their shoulder. A good-fitting gun should be mounted to your cheek or zygomatic arch. If the gun is mounted to your shoulder the head has to be pushed down to the stock and this is where inconsistency can occur.

Sometimes the head might not go down or it might roll over to the stock. To achieve a good, consistent mount your ready position needs to be looked at. Your lead foot should be slightly forward and you should feel balanced. Your neck should be extended forward ready to receive the gun to your cheek. The stock should be in-between your upper arm and your body, with the forearm of the hand holding the grip in line with the stock. The lead hand should be slightly forward of centre of the fore-end, creating a slight bend in the lead arm. Your muzzles should be on your pick-up point.

Graham Watkins runs Gamegoer Gundogs and has been training gundogs professionally for more than 35 years. He has competed in Field Trials and working tests, with several dogs achieving Champion and Winner titles.

Got a problem for Graham?

Contact him by emailing: sportinggun@ti-media.com

2To develop good marking skills, ideally you need a training partner or at least someone who can throw a dummy for you. If you have developed a good strong eye contact with your dog, they can initially prefer to look at you rather than the dummy thrower. If this is the case, just take a few steps forward and stand in line with your helper. This will mean that the dog will also be looking directly towards the dummy thrower.