Shotgun hunters: Do you practice a lot or just get the gun out of the closet to hunt?

I'm getting an old double barrel 12 ga to do some small game hunting next fall, and I'm wondering how many of you:
Hunt with shotguns
Practice shotgun shooting

I'm really not too interested in shotgun shooting sports...Am I missing a lot or not? Will be hunting mainly rabbits and upland birds. I have not done this for a few years, but my health is improving and I want to start again.
I love taking the gun for a nice walk more than shooting trap, etc.


mark

I cannot afford to practice with shooting clays, but I make sure to my "pattern" my shotguns at the range so I know how different loads/brands will perform. I do practice some "dry" shooting: swinging on imaginary birds or even imaginary objects so I can maintain a lead on or properly "swing through" flying game. One thing which is very important (and I have to remind myself of it constantly) is to NOT look up the center rib on a double barrel, or a ventilated rib on my pump. When I pull the trigger on an empty chamber, I immediately look along the barrel to see its position: if you see the top of the barrel or the rib, you are shooting high. The fit of a shotgun can make you learn a bad habit well, and you must be conscious of whether the barrel is tilted up when you "normally" shoulder the gun.

I have grown fond of using improved cylinder choking on everything from dove to ducks (esp. when you wait them out over decoys). My Dad preferred full choke when hunting dove, but he was good at high passing shots, I'm not. This last year I shot 2.3 shells for every bird -- better than average.

I have 3 shotguns: an old Remington Wingmaster 870 with fixed modified choke, a more modern steel-compatible Remington 870 Express with a set of screw-in chokes, and a Stevens 311D double-barrel (1955), which is a good all-round dove, squirrel and duck gun with fixed modified and full chokes. I'm with you on the nice walk; it's a lot of fun to walk up dove when they are nooning in trees and brush.

Be aware that old shotguns (like 2 of mine) may be damaged by steel shot. Hopefully, an affordable non-toxic lead substitute will be on the market in a few years.

I stick to low brass in it, mainly 6 or 8. Taking it out to pattern it this afternoon.

Enjoy your walks.

mark