Testimonials

David G. Bellon, LtGen USMC (Ret)

I had the great pleasure of taking several one-on-one, ninety-minute sessions with Lars during the summer of 2024. Like some of you reading this testimonial, I have had previous shotgun instruction, including the one-day shooting school at Orvis. In addition, I recently retired after 35 years in the United States Marine Corps, where I had world-class firearm instruction over the years. After my first class with Lars, I was immensely impressed. My appreciation for the quality instruction increased with every session with him thereafter. He is a passionate wing-shooter, which is exactly what I was looking for. His methodology is intended to make you a better wing shot. He also has a world-class knowledge and love of side-by-side shotguns. This combination gives him the background to assess your current ability and realistic potential quickly. If you want to stop disappointing your dog or frustrating yourself on the precious days afield, contact Lars and set up at least two sessions. I did one session a week and progressed throughout the summer. For what it’s worth, his home base is in Vermont, making it very easy to take a long weekend with your significant other and take a few lessons. In summary, I have never had better firearm instruction in my life, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Lars. He is also the go-to person to help you purchase the right side-by-side. I am in the middle of that right now.

Tim Sichel

Thanks again for a great training session - it gave me a massive step forward in my shooting.

I went to shoot five-stand today, and while I by no means broke every clay presented, I broke a heck of a lot more than I would have in the past. And for the first time when shooting at clays, when I’d miss, I’d actually have some idea of why instead of just scratching my head. I also hit my first-ever double on anything (clays or real birds) and in a presentation where I don’t think I’d even have gotten a shot -or at least a realistic one - at the second half of the pair before. I truly did not think a single session would significantly impact my shooting, and I am looking forward to hunting season even more than usual.

This has translated to the field as well. Both early in my first few early-season goose hunts and today at Peacable Hill with my pup, I’ve not only been more confident shooting but have already been connecting with many more birds. And unlike before, when I miss one, I've had a very good idea why.

Today, I brought home three of the four pheasants Ella pointed for me. For reference, I embarrassingly brought home one bird total between the last two times we were there—despite Ella pointing and holding every planted bird for me both times—which is what prompted me to get in touch with you.

I also generally go through two boxes of shells to bring home one or two geese during the early season. On opening day, I brought home three with well under half a box.

If you had told me one session and the drills you gave me to work on at home would make this much difference in my shooting, I would have flat-out thought you were blowing smoke, but here we are. I’m already looking forward to booking another session once I’ve had some more time in the field to absorb and put these new skills to use, and I am ready to continue learning the art of shotgunning.

Heide Mason, President of Juliana’s Anglers Sporting Club

Lars Jacob is a true Renaissance Man! He will not care for this review because it is overlong and too complimentary, and Lars is humble. I was introduced to Lars several years ago by a friend at Ten Mile River Preserve in New York, who insisted I meet Lars and take a wing-shooting lesson from him during a Tower shoot. I did, and the rest (as they say) is history. There are many talented shotgunners out there, as well as many lifetime sportsmen and women. But there are few true lifetime students of the sport, and that’s where Lars differs. It takes a true understanding of an area to translate that knowledge into teaching.

Lars’ approach to instruction is calm, understated, and skillful. Lars is an astute observer. If the shooting sportsman is a beginner, Lars will give that student a solid and comfortable base to advance by covering the basics of gun mount, gun fit, gun selection, and, of course ... shell selection. However, for the more experienced sport, the subtle suggestions: the lift of a heel, body rotation, tracking, and timing will elevate that hunter to the next level. I can honestly say that Lars has gotten me to a place where very few birds pass my peg in a line of guns. And candidly, as the only woman in the line on most occasions ... I kinda love it!!

Wild Surroundings is the logical and elegant combination of Lars’ skills and joys. Lars has created a place to learn about gun dog training, shotgun instruction, bespoke gun fitting and sourcing, deer hunting, fly fishing, foraging, cooking, spirits, wine, and, of course, sharing a fine table! Lars understands that harvesting game creates a responsibility. We honor and appreciate those gifts by simply recovering that game (the joy of well-trained gun dogs) and supplementing, preparing, and sharing our meals.

R. Stephen Bartholow, Jr.

I have been blessed to work with some really great instructors, but Lars’ instruction is what best resonates with me. He has a way of combining the fundamentals of both clays and wing-shooting that really makes sense, instead of simply dismissing one’s bias towards certain methods. Lars works with the shooter’s bias and teaches how to accentuate the good habits and change the bad ones. In other words, after working with Lars, I came away with a stronger sense of my instinctive shooting combined with the knowledge of how to improve my consistency using different methods on different presentations. Over time, those different methods evolved into my instinctive shooting. That’s a great feeling to have. Lars is simply the best instructor I have ever worked with. Period.

Alex Brooks

For most of my self-taught shooting career, I ignored the elements of body positioning and footwork. Instead, I placed all of my emphasis on the muzzle. I would mount the gun, find the target, and shoot. It took less than five minutes for Lars to point out that how I positioned my body was detrimental to my shooting success. As a self-taught right-hander, my primary emphasis was on the muzzle, and I paid very little attention to what my left hand was doing. My hands were not working together, and Lars pointed that out in a way that made immediate sense. I used to shoot as fast as I could because I didn’t want to miss my chance. It took a while, but Lars showed me that by slowing down, identifying the target, and moving both hands in unison, I would hit targets more efficiently and quickly than my old mount-and-find technique.

Joe Carabello

Lars is the penultimate instructor. He is able to quickly assess an individual’s strengths and weaknesses and design a program that will allow for growth and development. Working together, I improved my skills and gained the confidence needed to be a good shooter. He is patient, and his instructions are clear, allowing me to optimize and enjoy the entire experience. I look forward to my next lesson with great enthusiasm.

Paul S. McNamara