Tuesday, August 11, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Category

Shooting

56 articles

Diagnosing and Curing Flinch: Drills and Mental Techniques for a Better Hunting Shot

Diagnosing and Curing Flinch: Drills and Mental Techniques for a Better Hunting Shot

Flinch destroys more hunting opportunities than poor marksmanship fundamentals, bad ammo, or imperfect optics combined. Here's how to diagnose it honestly and systematically eliminate it before your season opener.

By HFR Staff  · August 10, 2026
Hunting Tripods and Shooting Sticks for Western Big Game: Carbon vs. Aluminum, Height, and Field Setups That Work

Hunting Tripods and Shooting Sticks for Western Big Game: Carbon vs. Aluminum, Height, and Field Setups That Work

At 300+ yards with a bull elk in your crosshairs, your field rest matters more than your rifle. A practical guide to hunting tripods, shooting sticks, and the systems western hunters actually need.

By HFR Staff  · August 9, 2026
Hunting Optics in the Pacific Northwest: Keeping Your Glass Clear, Fog-Free, and Reliable in Wet Conditions

Hunting Optics in the Pacific Northwest: Keeping Your Glass Clear, Fog-Free, and Reliable in Wet Conditions

Oregon and Washington hunters face some of the harshest optical conditions in North America. Rain, fog, temperature swings, and condensation can render a $2,000 scope useless at the moment of truth. Here's how to buy right and field-prep your glass for PNW conditions.

By HFR Staff  · August 7, 2026
Getting Started with IDPA Defensive Pistol Competition in Oregon: Clubs, Gear, and Your First Match

Getting Started with IDPA Defensive Pistol Competition in Oregon: Clubs, Gear, and Your First Match

IDPA is the fastest-growing defensive pistol sport in the country — and Oregon has a thriving club scene. Here's what you need to know to show up ready for your first match.

By HFR Staff  · August 4, 2026
Electronic Hearing Protection for Hunters: Best Ear Pro for the Oregon Field, Blind, and Range

Electronic Hearing Protection for Hunters: Best Ear Pro for the Oregon Field, Blind, and Range

Most Oregon hunters protect their hearing on the range but neglect it in the field. Electronic hearing protection solves that — and actually makes you a more aware, effective hunter. Here is what to choose and why it matters.

By HFR Staff  · August 3, 2026
Shotgun Patterning and Choke Selection for Oregon Duck and Goose Hunting: A Pre-Season Test Day Guide

Shotgun Patterning and Choke Selection for Oregon Duck and Goose Hunting: A Pre-Season Test Day Guide

Oregon's waterfowl season opens in October, but the work happens now. Here's how to run a complete patterning session and dial in the right choke and load combination before the birds arrive.

By HFR Staff  · August 1, 2026
Field Ballistic Calculators for Western Hunters: Kestrel, Applied Ballistics, and Getting Your Data Right

Field Ballistic Calculators for Western Hunters: Kestrel, Applied Ballistics, and Getting Your Data Right

Modern ballistic calculators have transformed long-range hunting. Here's how to choose the right tool, enter your data correctly, and actually trust your firing solution in the field.

By HFR Staff  · July 31, 2026
Semi-Auto Hunting Rifles for Western Big Game: Platform, Calibers, and Field Performance in Oregon's Mountains

Semi-Auto Hunting Rifles for Western Big Game: Platform, Calibers, and Field Performance in Oregon's Mountains

Semi-automatic hunting rifles have crossed into serious big game territory. Here's a practical look at the best platforms, calibers, and real-world performance for elk, mule deer, and blacktail hunters in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

By HFR Staff  · July 29, 2026
Cold Bore Shots and First-Round Consistency: The Overlooked Skill Every Hunting Rifle Shooter Needs

Cold Bore Shots and First-Round Consistency: The Overlooked Skill Every Hunting Rifle Shooter Needs

Your hunting rifle's first shot from a cold barrel often lands differently than your warm-barrel groups. Here's how to track it, train for it, and build the confidence to squeeze when it counts most.

By HFR Staff  · July 28, 2026
Home Bullet Casting: Getting Started with Cast Lead Loads for Pistol and Rifle

Home Bullet Casting: Getting Started with Cast Lead Loads for Pistol and Rifle

Casting your own lead bullets cuts ammunition costs by 5-10x and is more achievable than most handloaders think. Here's the gear, alloys, safety practices, and process to get your first pot of bullets off the ground.

By HFR Staff  · July 23, 2026
F-Class Shooting in the Pacific Northwest: Getting Started in Long-Range Target Rifle Competition

F-Class Shooting in the Pacific Northwest: Getting Started in Long-Range Target Rifle Competition

F-Class is the long-range precision discipline that lets you shoot at 600 and 1000 yards without the added stress of field positions and cold bore shots. Here's how to get started in Oregon and Washington.

By HFR Staff  · July 21, 2026
LPVO Scopes on Hunting Rifles: Setup, Magnification, and Why Western Hunters Are Making the Switch

LPVO Scopes on Hunting Rifles: Setup, Magnification, and Why Western Hunters Are Making the Switch

Low-power variable optics started in competition but have found a genuine home on hunting rifles. Here's how to select, mount, zero, and use an LPVO for deer, elk, and pronghorn in Oregon's varied terrain.

By HFR Staff  · July 17, 2026