As Seen in Gray's Sporting Journal and Elsewhere…
“Shotgunning in the Automatic Mind: The Creation of the Most Beautiful Shotgun Instruction Book Ever Published” by Irwin Greenstein, Shotgun Life Magazine
“In 2001, Margaret Wilfley finally put her foot down. She was no longer going to be a bystander after watching her husband Mike and friends during a week in England shooting driven birds. She would learn shotgunning. Mike knew she meant it and years of marriage told him that he needed to find an excellent coach rather than try to teach her himself. Friends recommended Warren Watson. From the very first lesson, it was clear why.
It would turn out to be a fateful decision on Margaret’s part. That initial lesson with Warren Watson led to a 12-year collaboration between Mike Wilfley and Warren to produce what is perhaps the most beautiful book ever published on shotgun instruction titled ‘Shotgunning in the Automatic Mind – A Guide for Shotgunners and Instructors.’”
"Warren Watson and Mike Wilfley have produced an important, perhaps a landmark book on the shooting art. ... This well-designed book takes you through some eye-opening advice for 'core physical skills' (vision, posture, mount, rhythm, lead, basic shooting) to 'core mental skills' (pre-shot routine, advanced techniques, target reading) on to shooting from "the automatic mind," a combining of the muscle memory of core physical skills (the heart of instinctive shooting) with core mental skills at the conscious and, if the method works, subconscious level. Such a summary sounds abstract. The book is remarkably practical in hand with dozens of useful insights and much helpful illustration on both the physical habits of shooting and one's mindset in getting on, to, and through the target, whether with sporting clays ... or in the field with game."
Read the full review here.
”No News is Good News” by Christopher Camuto, Gray's Sporting Journal (August 2020)
"[Shotgunning in the Automatic Mind] offers an uncommonly clear, concise and stress-free examination of the art and science of shooting.... [T]he book is plainly written, never collapsing into jargon, quips or trade-marked phrases. The 256 pages are filled with easy-to-understand photos, diagrams and charts, reminding readers that the mysteries around why they miss really shouldn’t be mysteries at all; they’re just mistakes that haven’t been analyzed carefully.... If you are truly serious about improving your shooting … it’s all about the intentionality and work you put into it. Shotgunning in the Automatic Mind holds up its end in that process; the rest is up to you."
Read the full review here.
“Getting in the Shotgunning ‘Zone’” by Tom Sternal, Shooting Sportsman (May/June 2020)
“Local authors produce a classic. Shotgunning in the Automatic Mind is the ideal gift for anyone who loves shotgunning. This comprehensive, 256-page book is an indispensable guide."
See the shareable pdf here.
What to Give Guide, 5280: The Devner Magazine (Nov. 2019)