Why would anyone who is perfectly comfortable shooting right-handed learn to shoot left-handed, or vice versa? The reason - stuff happens. Years ago, on the advice of an experienced hunting buddy, I forced myself to learn to shoot on my weak side.

As a predator hunter who hunkers on the ground and brings critters close to the call, it often came in handy when the unpredictable target came in on my weak side. A simple shift to the off shoulder and the target was acquired without having to move my body. It came in equally handy when rattling whitetail that eventually appeared to my right. Anyone who hunts deer from portable, climbing stands has also experienced the weak-side opportunity. Ambidextrous shooting vastly improves your odds on otherwise awkward shots.

Those events just made it convenient, but recent eye surgery has made the skill an absolute necessity. I'll be fine in six months or so, but for now it's southpaw or nothing. My shift was easy because I forced myself to learn in advance.

My reasons then were not for the eventuality of a loss of vision in one eye, but were based on the realities of my style of hunting. I hunt brush-covered open country and like to call them in close. The chances of a dog or buck popping up on the weak side (right) are just as possible as having them come in straightaway or to my strong left. It is easier and faster and requires far less movement to simply shift to left-handed shooting when they show up on the right. It's part of the reason single-shot rifles set up with long, non-critical eye relief scopes are my first choice when calling in close cover... Read Full Article