The dominant eye is the eye that looks directly at an object, a crucial factor for accurate shooting performance. The non-dominant eye looks at the same object at a slight angle. Depth perception is the result between the two. The small angular difference between the dominant eye and the non-dominant eye is what allows a hunter to judge the distance to a target or game animal.

When shooting, a firearm should always be shouldered on the side of the hunter's dominant eye. However, being right or left handed does not always determine if you are right- or left-eye dominant. Here’s how to find your dominant eye:

Find your dominant eye

IMPORTANT! If you are a beginner, shoot on the same side as your dominant eye, even if your strong hand is on the other side.

Step 1. Make a small triangle with your hands with your thumbs and the top half of your fingers overlapping.

Step 2. Extend your out arms towards the target.

Step 3. Look through the triangle at the target.

Step 4. Keep both eyes open.

Step 5. Move your hands back to your face while looking at the target through the triangle of your hands.

Step 6. Whichever eye your hand moves to is your dominant eye.