Hey blue dot from one dog lover to another we have something else in common. I am a shotgunner, Have quite a few titles and shot at the grand american handicap numerous times. (Don't do it anymore though) I do not know sporting clays but in trap shooting everything should be so simple. Bring the gun up ,look out into the field, call for bird SHOOT. A great team will shoot a round of 25 each in under 8 minutes. Shouder,look, call, shoot. You are right about the mental being 90% but I believe its much higher. The difference between a good shot and a great one is about one bird in a hundred. Why can some folks shoot 98 out of a hundred but can't get those next one or two birds. Surely they know how to shoot. Dogs are a hell of a lot harder (but more fun).
Redclub