Bird season is just around the corner, and a little preseason preparation can make all the difference. Learn the five essential steps every upland hunter should take before opening day—from patterning your shotgun and checking gun fit to inspecting your boots, restocking first aid kits, and getting your bird dog ready for the season. A few hours of preparation now will help ensure a safer, more enjoyable, and more successful fall in the field.

Upland hunting has a way of looking effortless from the outside.

You see the photos:

• Perfect dogs on point

• Clean, textbook shots

• Beautiful landscapes

But what you don’t see is everything in between.

The AR-15 can feel intimidating at first.

The platform looks complex, the terminology feels overwhelming, and the amount of information online can make it hard to know where to begin.

But once you break it down, it’s actually one of the most user-friendly firearms available.

This Independence Day, celebrate America's 250th birthday by investing in the future of youth shooting sports. Behind every successful team are dedicated coaches, volunteers, and families working year-round to fund ammunition, targets, travel, equipment, and range time. The MidwayUSA Foundation helps make those opportunities possible through team endowment accounts that provide long-term financial support.

Here's the best part: qualifying donations are matched dollar for dollar. That means a $250 donation to your favorite team's endowment can become $500, creating an even greater impact for young athletes.

Whether your child participates in clay target, rifle, or pistol shooting, supporting your local team helps build confidence, responsibility, leadership, and lifelong friendships while preserving our shooting sports heritage for future generations.

This July, consider honoring America's milestone birthday with a gift that lasts far beyond Independence Day. Read our full blog to learn how the MidwayUSA Foundation works, why endowments matter, and how your contribution can help ensure every young shooter has the opportunity to succeed.

Becoming a competitive shooter isn’t about talent.

It’s about consistency.

Behind every confident shooter on the course are hours of missed targets, frustrating rounds, and moments where quitting would have been easier. The difference is they didn’t stop.

They showed up again.

For years, women entering the shooting sports were given the same advice:

“Just shoot a smaller gun.”

Usually a 20 gauge.
Maybe something lighter.
Something “easier.”

If you’ve ever shown up to the range and realized you forgot something important, you know how quickly it can throw off your entire day.

That’s why your range bag isn’t just a bag.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right on the range—but your results just aren’t there—there’s a good chance it’s not you.

It’s your gun fit.

If you want to become a more effective upland hunter, you don’t need a fancy setup—you need intentional reps that mimic real bird movement. And one of the most underrated tools for that?
American Skeet stations 2 through 6.

These middle stations are where things start to feel a lot less like a game… and a lot more like the field.

If you’ve spent any time around a shotgun range, you’ve likely heard the term “skeet.” It’s one of the most popular clay target sports in the U.S.—and for good reason. It’s fun, fast-paced, and one of the best ways to build real-world shooting skills for hunting and wingshooting.

But what exactly is American Skeet?

Let’s break it down.

Cross-dominance affects more women than many realize, but it does not automatically mean you need a bent shotgun stock. Before making expensive, permanent modifications, there are several effective options to explore, including proper instruction, eye training, winking, and occlusion methods. Eye dominance can shift due to factors like fatigue and dehydration, which is why a thorough evaluation matters. The key is understanding how long someone has been shooting and assessing performance before making changes. Working with a qualified shotgun instructor is far more effective than guessing — and far less costly than unnecessary gun modifications.

If you’ve ever wanted to step onto the shotgun range and test your reflexes against a fast-flying clay target, American Trap is the perfect place to start. As one of the most popular clay target disciplines in the United States, trap combines tradition, skill, and just the right dose of adrenaline.

Competitive shooting comes in many forms, but if you want a sport that’s as practical as it is fun, the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is worth exploring. Unlike pure target shooting or games built around speed, IDPA focuses on scenarios that mimic real-life defensive encounters. It’s fast-paced, dynamic, and designed to build confidence with your everyday carry gun.

There’s something magnetic about the idea of sending a single, tiny projectile a full mile and watching it hit a target. Long-range “mile” shooting blends precision gear, ballistics science, wind reading, and patience. If you’re stepping into this world—whether to sharpen hunting skills, chase PRs at the range, or simply because it’s badass—this guide will give you a clear, practical roadmap to get started safely and confidently.

If you’ve ever heard sporting clays described as “golf with a shotgun,” that’s exactly right. Just like golf, you’ll walk through a course with multiple stations—only instead of tee boxes and fairways, you’ll find clay targets flying at different angles, speeds, and distances. It’s one of the most exciting shotgun sports because every station simulates a hunting scenario, from flushing quail to crossing ducks.

From traditional longbows to modern compound bows, archery blends history, skill, and adventure. Whether you want to hunt, compete in 3D leagues, or just practice in the backyard, there’s a bow—and a journey—for you. 🎯 Follow your arrow and discover the love of the bow!