Shooting lessons and Clinics

“Structured guidance accelerates growth.”

— Doug Manzer

Becoming an effective wing shot begins with balance and connecting the movement of our body with the bird. Our movement is a reflection of the bird’s movement, and the fundamentals of footwork, posture, rotation and gun mount all work in harmony to attain that connection. We’re all built a bit different and your stance is your own, but a curated approach will help you apply several underlying principles that enable you to achieve perfect balance through any shot.

Applying vision effectively is a pillar of good shooting. The way we first detect the bird differs from how we see the bird to finish the shot. Understanding this difference and purposely applying our vision is a learned skill that needs to be developed.

There are several approaches to attaining lead and, with practice, any of the methods can be applied on demand and executed without conscious thought to achieve what many consider to be an instinctive shot. The shot becomes instinctive once you’ve practiced enough that the act of moving in time with the bird becomes subconscious and we place our visual attention on the bird rather than consciously applying lead. The instinctive part comes through learning and repetition, rather than an inherent gift from the cradle.

Overall, we help you develop the foundation to become a consistent shot that will develop into an instinctive delivery you can rely on time and again.

“Our movement is a reflection of the bird’s movement, and as we learn to move in time with the bird our connection heightens while making the shot simpler, and this boosts confidence for anyone pursuing winged game or clays. ”

— Doug Manzer

Overview - Lessons & Clinics

Clay shooting lessons with Journey Afield

Individual Lessons

Whether you’ve never held a shotgun or you’re an experienced Gun looking for greater consistency, these sessions are tailored to you. Individual lessons focus on your objectives while developing at your pace, whether that’s building the fundamentals, preparing for an upcoming charity shoot, or honing your gun mount for a wingshooting safari in Alberta or South Africa. We’ll cover the foundational aspects involved, while mentoring you to develop and diagnose your own progress.

Individual clay shooting lessons commonly run two hours, and are often held at Silver Willow Sporting Clays, Carstairs, Alberta. Other locations can be arranged.

Individual Lesson - Enquire

Small Group Lessons

Small group sessions enable two or three friends or family members to learn together. This provides an additional point of view to learn from while observing as others receive feedback, which can be a particularly effective learning perspective. Sessions are two hour minimums, although three hour timeslots work well with two or more shooters. Contact for availability and pricing. These lessons are often held at Silver Willow Sporting Clays, near Carstairs, Alberta, although other locations can be arranged.

If you have a larger group in mind please get in touch to assess if we can arrange a format that will meet your needs.

Following the session shooters will receive feedback and recommendations to move forward.

Small Group - Enquire

Wing Shooting Clinics

Wingshooting is our life-long passion and we welcome the opportunity to share this experience with you through one of our clinics. These are half and full-day events that provide the opportunity for more in-depth discussion and practice in a small group environment. These offerings include small-group seminars, interactive discussions, curated practice on clays with tailored setups, as well as breaks and lunch to provide time to interact with others.

Clinics are split into four levels of personal development, from those beginning their wingshooting journey to others who are very experienced clay and game shots but want to perform more consistently day to day. These sessions are limited to 2-4 participants and held at Silver Willow Sporting Clays, Alberta.

Clinics aren’t just an event, but an investment in your passion and personal growth!

Clinic - Enquire

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Journey Afield

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Clinics

- Journey Afield - Clinics

Clinics

Clinics are full-days with a variety of learning approaches while moving back and forth between the lodge and clay ground, including discussions and your input. You supply your own ammo, roughly 100-200 rounds, with gun rentals and ammo available to purchase on site.

Wingshooting Clinics

Introduction to Shotgun Shooting

Development Level 1
April 27, 2024 (1/2 day) COMPLETE
This course is geared for those starting out with a shotgun. You’ll learn key basics including how to stand, grip the gun, balance your weight, and position the stock in relation to your cheek and eyes. We’ll check your eye dominance, and provide an initial “gun check” to see how well the stock fits your physique.

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Foundation Clinic

Development Level 2
May 18, 2024 COMPLETE
July 13, 2024 Only one spot left!
July 28, 2024 Full
Geared for those desiring a solid foundation to enhance success on clays and winged game. Learn to set up and execute the mechanics of the shot, combining footwork, posture ane movement that heightens your connection with the bird. This is a full day transitioning back and forth between class and clays with plenty of skill-based learning.

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Advanced Wingshooting Clinic

Development Level 3
August 24, 2024
September 8, 2024
We’ll engage you in the ethos of the hunt from safety and etiquette in the field, to techniques that will enhance your success on game and clays.
An explosive flush often prompts a rushed mount that’s out of sync with the bird. We’ll focus on developing a smooth and efficient gun mount that heightens connection with the bird, providing more time than you thought possible. This is a full day clinic that transitions back and forth between class and clays applying concepts discussed moments before through skill-based practical learning.

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Testimonials

I thoroughly loved it!

My first time wingshooting was in a clinic with Doug Manzer. I had low expectations of success and was fearful of the painful gun recoil.
To my surprise and delight, not only did I hit the moving clay targets repeatedly, I throughly enjoyed myself. Doug’s expert and detailed instructions combined with insightful tips and encouragement made a wing shooter out of me.
I am now the proud owner of a shotgun and a clay launcher and am getting my sons into the sport. Thank you ever so much Doug!
My daughter got the perfect shooting introduction

“My daughter had a shooting lesson with Doug yesterday that exceeded all our expectations. Not only did she come away from the two hours with a great technical base, that as an 11 year old she both understands and can implement, but she had an amazing, empowering experience that she wants to repeat!
The session was so accessible and Doug's style of teaching is exceptional. My daughter got the perfect shooting introduction, I learnt a lot from watching and am looking forward to my own lesson!
In my daughter's words: "10/10! Doug is so great and now I can shoot!”
Shawn Blakey
Technique & Confidence

I only started wing shooting 7 years ago at age 50. I have fun when I go hunting. I can get birds and sometimes I can even limit out. But I struggled with not knowing why I could make some shots and why I missed others. I lacked the ability to compare my shot against a baseline of proper shooting mechanics so that I could get better. In fact, the path of trial-and-error learning that I was following meant I had no way of ever getting better.
Even though I was nervous (I never shot sporting clays before) I wanted to learn how to become a better shot and be confident of being the best ethical hunter in the field I can be. Doug’s upland wing shooting clinic saved me. I loved the way he broke down shooting into the fundamental mechanics and then layer by layer put them all together into a fluid process. My brain was able to grasp Doug’s teaching method and, I’ll be honest, I did what he taught me, and I surprised the heck out myself at the first shooting platform! The combination of in class theory, mock-up exercises, various field scenarios and Doug’s amazing way of talking me through adjustments in the field was so valuable.
We had fun as a group in the upland wing shooting clinic - laughing and encouraging each other. My initial fear of being embarrassed or demoralized after trying to shoot sporting clays did not happen and I left the clinic with confidence. Confidence which has since served me well in the field. I did it so anyone can too! Thank you, Doug!
Mark Hall - Host of The Hunter Conservationist Podcast
Your shooting expectations and needs will be exceeded and your horizon broadened

“Whether you’re a sporting clays competitor or a wingshooter afield, the substance and style offered by Doug Manzer’s courses will ensure that the specific aspects of your shooting pursuits and training goals are wholly addressed. Doug brings his extensive expertise to the lesson content, along with his unbridled enthusiasm and infectious, friendly personality in the lesson’s delivery that will keep you thoroughly engaged. His teaching technique embraces both modern technology to demonstrate your performance as well as a keen, experienced, human eye. His feedback and analysis are delivered with a personal and patient approach and manner.
From the foundational shooting essentials to the more esoteric themes in wingshooting, whichever you are looking for, there is something in Doug’s curated courses for every shooter regardless of skill level and proficiency.
Casual hobbyist, seasonal hunter or steadfast athlete, your shooting expectations and needs will be exceeded and your horizon broadened.”
Jer Reynolds - Foundation Wingshooting Clinic
Excellent Coaching

“Excellent coaching in a real world setting. Take this if you really want to improve your shooting.“
Curtis Hall - Co-host of The Hunter Conservationist Podcast