On the way out of the woods, I too just shoot it out. I do it for the same reasons cayugad does. Like he said it confirms my setup was weatherproof for that day, it checks the accuracy of my gun, and it gives me the confidence to know the gun is working properly so if that monster buck does walk up I won't be worring about a misfire. I am fortunate in that I own the property that I hunt, so on my way out of the woods of to one side of the logging road I have a shooting range that is shooting into a hill so discharging the gun is it not an issue for me.