By Kim Hiss

The second in our pair of interviews with NRA shooting instructors is with Sue Bierly, a Master Training Counselor from Stewartville, Minnesota. Bierly teaches basic students, other training counselors and senior training counselors. As you'll hear in her descriptions of her favorite hunts, she's also a nature lover at heart, who was especially excited about a recent alligator hunt (see action shot at left). Thanks to Sue for sharing her stories and her perspectives as a shooting instructor. -K.H. 

FSHUNTRESS: When did you first learn how to shoot? 

SUE BIERLY: I took an NRA Basic Handgun Safety class in June 1994 that was offered at the Southern Minnesota Sportsman's Club in Rochester. I found it best to learn from a non-relative. Learning to shoot was quite a step for me as I was raised on a farm where the only firearm available was to shoot skunks. The class gave me basic knowledge, skills and the positive attitude to confidently handle and shoot a handgun. I gained more confidence each time I went shooting. Comfort and consistency make an enjoyable shooting experience. 

FS: Are you a hunter as well? 

SB: I've enjoyed prairie dog shooting in South Dakota with my husband, son and another couple. I was also anxious to go turkey hunting after attending a Women in the Outdoors event in Caledonia, Minnesota (the turkey capital). I didn't understand how it was exciting to get up early and head for the woods. But I found turkey hunting is my most relaxing hunt on warm, beautiful days. [Once] I went with my husband and a friend of ours to hunt turkeys at about 4:30 a.m. I settled into my hunting spot with my back against a tree, waiting. All of a sudden, tree bark fell on me. It seemed to be a lot of bark to come from a blue jay. I looked up and there was a big, black ball -- I was sitting under a turkey!!! After a short time, the bark fell again. The turkey had silently left the tree for another area. I have many fond memories of family and friends when hunting. [Once] a playful squirrel was near me when all of a sudden we were eye-to-eye, and Zoom, he was gone. A healthy, beautiful coyote was pacing one side of the water way, trying to decide how to get to the turkey decoy which was on the other side. The Canada geese were squawking as if to warn the turkey of our presence. Needless to say, there was no turkey sighting. 

     My favorite experience was alligator shooting with a .22 caliber magnum revolver in Louisiana. Four ladies traveled the back waters with the guides where they had baited the alligators with a chicken part placed above the water. The alligator would take the bait under the water then put up a fight, and we would shoot the gator in a soft spot behind its eyes. The biggest gator that was shot was 10 feet, 7 1/2 inches. I helped pull in one gator which was like having a large Northern Pike on a fishing line. The dead gators were at my feet in the duck boat. I found myself touching the gators often to feel their leathery skin. The mystery of the alligators, type of firearm to be used, how and where to shoot them added to the climax of every round shot. 

FS: What made you want to become a shooting instructor? 

SB: I became a shooting instructor to instill the importance and use of gun safety rules, learn more about guns and shooting, and to share the sport with other women, youths and men. It is a terrific networking system with others who have similar interests. 

FS: What's the most challenging part of teaching people how to shoot? 

SB: The use of their dominant eye, which may be different from the hand they use for writing. 

FS: And the most rewarding? 

SB: The most rewarding teaching experience is to see the smile and the twinkle in their eyes when they fire a shot. 

FS: What are some of the most common mistakes you see shooters make? 

SB: Not using their dominant eye, focusing on the front sight or using the natural point of aim. 

FS: Have you observed any differences in the ways men and women learn to shoot? 

SB: I've observed that semi-automatics can be difficult for women to open the slide. 

Comments (3)

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 3 years 8 weeks ago

This lady alligator hunts! She has one up on me.... well I congraduate her for being an instructor and thank her. At times, I can only imagine that it is not an easy job, but she is doing something she loves.

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from jmeerpohl wrote 3 years 8 weeks ago

My expereince as a NRA certified instructor and coach as far as common issues are the same and would also include the inability of many shooters to physically be able to minimize the wobble in their hold due to poor upper body strength. I also find many youth and adults do not have any real knowledge of handling a 7-9 lb. firearm and any concept of basic athletic skills of balance, weight shift to one foot or the other, finding comfort in a supported stance, use of bones as supports, relaxing face and other parts of body which can seriously affect accuracy and abiility to hold movement of muzzle to a minumm over extended periods if tense, knowing that dry practice in front of a mirro is often a key to attaining proper psotion poture, etc. But I guess if they knew these things they would not need a coach

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from Sportsman Matt wrote 3 years 8 weeks ago

Another good interview. I do agree that some semi autos are tough to open, too bad the manufacturers couldn't make the forend like the Benelli Tactical Shotgun the military uses. Semi Auto action but you can rack it like a pump if it misfires, misfeeds, or jams up. Also good point on the dominant eye, I shoot both left and right handed (due to shoulder issues) but have a right eye dominance, my girlfriend shoots left handed for trap due to left eye dominance, but shoots right handed for rifle and pistol.

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 3 years 8 weeks ago

This lady alligator hunts! She has one up on me.... well I congraduate her for being an instructor and thank her. At times, I can only imagine that it is not an easy job, but she is doing something she loves.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jmeerpohl wrote 3 years 8 weeks ago

My expereince as a NRA certified instructor and coach as far as common issues are the same and would also include the inability of many shooters to physically be able to minimize the wobble in their hold due to poor upper body strength. I also find many youth and adults do not have any real knowledge of handling a 7-9 lb. firearm and any concept of basic athletic skills of balance, weight shift to one foot or the other, finding comfort in a supported stance, use of bones as supports, relaxing face and other parts of body which can seriously affect accuracy and abiility to hold movement of muzzle to a minumm over extended periods if tense, knowing that dry practice in front of a mirro is often a key to attaining proper psotion poture, etc. But I guess if they knew these things they would not need a coach

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sportsman Matt wrote 3 years 8 weeks ago

Another good interview. I do agree that some semi autos are tough to open, too bad the manufacturers couldn't make the forend like the Benelli Tactical Shotgun the military uses. Semi Auto action but you can rack it like a pump if it misfires, misfeeds, or jams up. Also good point on the dominant eye, I shoot both left and right handed (due to shoulder issues) but have a right eye dominance, my girlfriend shoots left handed for trap due to left eye dominance, but shoots right handed for rifle and pistol.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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