Shotguns

Get Legal for Migratory Bird Season

By North America Outdoors / August 3, 2025 / Comments Off on Get Legal for Migratory Bird Season

Before you head to the fields for Opening Day, be sure you know all the laws and regulations that apply to bird season. ** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA’s mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. ** It is that…

The NRA Has Something for Everyone

By North America Outdoors / July 31, 2025 / Comments Off on The NRA Has Something for Everyone

American gun owners join the NRA for many reasons that pertain to their individual shooting sports activities, but all join for the common goal of the protection of their Second Amendment rights. ** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA’s mission to protect, preserve…

Demystifying the World of Shotguns

By North America Outdoors / July 7, 2025 / Comments Off on Demystifying the World of Shotguns

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION • SUMMER 2025 BY HEIDI LYN RAO Shotgunning can be the most confusing of all the shooting activities. For the shotgun games, such as trap, skeet, or sporting clays, you are swinging and tracking one or more bright orange clay birds that are launched from a known…

Dram: The Most Misunderstood Word in Shotgunning

By North America Outdoors / May 7, 2025 / Comments Off on Dram: The Most Misunderstood Word in Shotgunning

Why is this word still found on boxes of modern shotshells, and why is it important to understand it? Dram: The Most Misunderstood Word in Shotgunning Dram is one of those words that many think they know what it means but fall short in giving an accurate definition. That is because the word is an…

Bullet Weight Pros and Cons

By North American Outdoors / March 30, 2025 / Comments Off on Bullet Weight Pros and Cons

Even bullets experience trends. Learn more about heavy vs. light loads to help you decide which is best for your situation. by Heidi Lyn Rao As a firearms instructor for more than 25 years, I have seen a definite shift in attitude about bullet weight and muzzle velocity, especially in self-defense cartridges. There was a time…

Concealed Carry vs. Open Carry: Pros and Cons

By North American Outdoors / March 12, 2025 / Comments Off on Concealed Carry vs. Open Carry: Pros and Cons

If you live where you can carry either concealed or open, you must choose which way is right for your situation. Here are some factors to help with your decision. by Heidi Lyn Rao In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen that the Second Amendment protects the…

4 Things You “Ought” to Know About Buckshot

By North American Outdoors / February 28, 2025 / Comments Off on 4 Things You “Ought” to Know About Buckshot

If you are using buckshot for personal defense, it’s important to understand the differences between all your options. by Heidi Lyn Rao  When it comes to buckshot, Double “Ought” (00) is still the king! Though 00 is the most common buckshot used for self-defense, there are several additional options. Knowing these options are important to choose…

3 Things to Check Before Shooting an Older Shotgun

By North American Outdoors / February 27, 2025 / Comments Off on 3 Things to Check Before Shooting an Older Shotgun

It is exciting to shoot any older shotgun, especially if it is 100 or more years old. Just be safe and do your homework. by Heidi Lyn Rao Shooting old shotguns can be very exciting. They are all unique. Often, the actions and other aspects of the firearm are unique to a certain period. For example,…

Understanding the Complex World of Chokes

By North American Outdoors / February 9, 2025 / Comments Off on Understanding the Complex World of Chokes

By Heidi Lyn Rao UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEX Understanding chokes can be very perplexing unless you get rid of the mindset that “all improved cylinder chokes pattern like all improved cylinder chokesâ€, “all modified chokes pattern like all modified chokes,†and “all full chokes pattern like all full chokes.†Just because a choke is stamped or…

4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEEL SHOT

By North American Outdoors / December 27, 2024 / Comments Off on 4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEEL SHOT

By Heidi Lyn Rao 4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEEL SHOT Individuals who enjoy shotgun shooting or those individuals who are just getting into the sport, are immediately faced with the dilemma of which ammo to shoot: lead shot or steel shot. These two types of ammunition are not the same regarding their properties or…