[dispatch55126]

What is the best load for Pheasant? This is my first time going so any tips/pointers would also be helpful. I'm hunting on my farm which is in central Minnesota with Corn that has just been harvested. Unfortunately, no dog to help flush. Thanks.

[Jorg]

Plain old 2 3/4" with 6 shot are what I would recommend around here, I don't know about Minnesota. I find 6 shot is usually a good place to start. Kind of depends on how far they are flushing and what choke you have in. Without dogs, I suspect they are going to run out on you or flush close. I hunting for a lot of years with a fixed modified choke and 6s and had no problems. If they are flushing further, you might want to try 4s or 5s. I wouldn't go heavier than a 4 though, or lighter than a 6. Some folks use 7 1/2s for pheasants, but I've always thought them a bit light.

I'm not too particular about brands for this sort of shooting, any of the mid-priced ($7-8/box) offerings from the major brands will probably do fine. If you are feeling more serious, you might want to try to pattern them or look into trying plated shot.

[elkhuntingfool]

I use #6 shot.

[dakotazeb]

I have found ,after over 50 years of hunting pheasants, that the load I prefer is the Federal Premium "Pheasant Forever" 2 3/4" with 1 1/4 oz. of copper plated #5's. This is a high velocity load leaving the muzzle at 1,500 fps. they are going to cost you about $11-12 per box but I think they are worth the extra few bucks.

[20nickels]

4 shot hits harder so you do not have to chase them down as much, but also may ruin the meat. Can you harvest quail or similair birds on the same tag? Then go with 2 3/4" 6 shot for sure.

[Oldnamvet]

Growing up a little south of you in Iowa during the great pheasant years of the 50's, it was always a load of #6 or #5s with a full choke. It seemed that as soon as a few shots were fired on opening day, they started flushing way out in front so the full choke was needed. We never had a dog either (that was the youngest persons job--usually me).

[huntershooter]

Early season birds usually flush long here in Kansas. This due to really warm fall/winters we've had for years. I use plated 5's (2 3/4") because of this. For me, trying to save a few dollars on shotgun shells is false economy. Time off from work and the overall trip cost makes 5-6 dollars additional per box seem a bargain.

[redneck2]

Wild birds with no dog is a different game than pen raised birds with dogs. As stated, wild birds tend to flush far out and move quick. Plated high velocity 4's or 5's, mod (preferred) or full. They'll run before they flush, particularly after the first few days of season.

[Dave McCracken]

Not many wild ringnecks left around here, but if I were hunting wild roosters, it'd be with 1 1/4 oz of hard shot, probably 5s. Choke on the tight end.

[bensdad]

I'm not even sure why you're trying this without a dog. :confused:

Remington Heavy Game Load (size 6) has always been my go-to for pheas. If I'm hunting a preserve I grab tons of whatever I can reach, but in the real world, you need a little more down-range power.

[dispatch55126]

I don't have a dog for one thing and since my cars tranny blew up I can't quite justify to my wife that I need a dog in short order. We released dozens of ringnecks about 20 years ago and they were teasing me the entire deer season last year. There were two roosters that kept walking past my blind at 20yds (and actually helped me bag my deer, but thats another story). Anyways, I told myself I was going this year to try it out.

[rcmodel]

I think 1 1/4 - #4 throws too thin a pattern, and #6 will cripple a lot of them at longer range.

1 1/4 oz of #5 will give you the best balance between penetration & pattern density.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[zinj]

1.25oz of #4 is my preferred load, as well as the guys I hunt with. Have had too many birds keep on flying after getting some feathers knocked off by #6s.

[elkhuntingfool]

How far out are you guys shooting that you are seeing birds crippled or feathers flying after the bird is shot? I shoot at a maximum 30-40 yards. Anything after that - no way.

[countertop]

I 2nd the recommendations for #5s.

Last fall was my first time pheasant hunting. Went to Southwest Minnesota and thats what we were using (I went with folks who've hunted pheasants there all their life) and they worked great.

I am heading up to the Aberdeen, SD area this fall with the same folks and I suspect thats what we're going to use again.

Brand, isn't as important. Just make sure you get some nice velocity.

The birds, especially if you don't have a dog, will sit and wait, sometimes holding till your literally standing on top of them (had one rooster launch after I kicked it with my foot, I had been standing in place for about 2 minutes and shifted my foot 2 inches left as I was looking to one of our dogs)

When they launch, they launch quick (I missed said bird) and will take a number of evasive maneuvers.

Needless to say, it was some of the most fun I ever had with a gun in hand.

[zinj]

How far out are you guys shooting that you are seeing birds crippled or feathers flying after the bird is shot?

Between 40 and 50 yards. Not unreasonable when the birds are flushing wild.

[rcmodel]

It's always been my experience here in Kansas that birds will be crippled and run or fly off when hit with the fringes of a #6 pattern at med. to long range.

The same marginal shot with #5's or #4's will break bones and kill them DRT as far as you should be shooting them.

Again, #5 will give the best balance of pattern density & power that is possible in a 1 1/4oz 12 ga load.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[elkhuntingfool]

What about a load for 20ga - I know this thread is 12ga - but thought I'd ask. Hopefully I won't get the topic locked

[rcmodel]

I feel the same way about 20ga loads.

An 1oz, or 1 1/4oz of #5 will give the best balance of pattern density & killing power.

I think #6 is too small for wild flushing pheasent, and there isn't enough shot in a #4 load.

Over dogs, flushing real close, #8 skeet loads will kill them just fine!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[ArmedBear]

elkhuntingfool, 1 oz of the same stuff and pattern it?

[elkhuntingfool]

okay - sounds good. I guess it's time to buy a bag of #5 shot and reload those as well.

[Jorg]

The birds, especially if you don't have a dog, will sit and wait, sometimes holding till your literally standing on top of them

I can't tell you how many times I've seen this. That's why it's always a good idea to stop every once in awhile and just stand there. Like other critters that rely on laying low to avoid detection, pheasants seem to like when you keep moving. But, if you stop for a bit here and there, sometimes they think you're on to them and will flush.

elkhuntingfool, aren't you supposed to be on the mountain today? Opening day of the elk hunt and you're talking about pheasants on the internet. You may have to change your name. Then again, just an hour ago I called my dad and told him I was glad we didn't go this year. Talk about miserable weather. But I digress...

[elkhuntingfool]

elkhuntingfool, aren't you supposed to be on the mountain today? Opening day of the elk hunt and you're talking about pheasants on the internet. You may have to change your name. Then again, just an hour ago I called my dad and told him I was glad we didn't go this year. Talk about miserable weather. But I digress...

I bow hunt - been there, done that. Didn't get an elk, waiting for the snow to fly and then I'll hunt the extended areas. Of course, I'm looking out the window and it's snowing - so the next few weeks should be good to get the elk down to the lower elevations.

Very miserable weather.

[Jorg]

Well, you're off the hook then. :) Do let me know how those 20 gauge #5 shotshells work out. My niece will be using a 20 gauge next year for her first pheasant hunt.

Man, the pheasant hunt is a month away and now I'm chomping at the bit to get out in the fields. What are you guys trying to do to me?

[elkhuntingfool]

My two oldest daughters will be taking hunter's safety this year - I couldn't be happier. They want to hunt with me. I'll take them to a bird farm to 'break them in' before I take them to chuckar country and really tick them off :)

I would like to get to ND or SD for some phez hunting, but it's not in the cards this year.

[sd]

4 or 5 shot work best, either 12 or 20 gauge works. early season get closer shots, after that the birds get spooky. Guys with dogs always seem to do better, never had the pleasure myself, but i've gotten a (very) few without dogs. flushing a rooster pheasant and connecting with a quick shot is a real rush. good luck and enjoy the hunt whether you get anything or not.

[elkhuntingfool]

I've rarely hunted with a dog - just got lucky with flushing birds within range and being able to bring them down.

[Spider]

What Dakotazeb said (Federal Pheasants Forever load in #5) - the group I hunt with in South Dakota started using them three years ago. Use nothing but now, unless it is an emergency. One of the guys is in his 50's, has never lived outside SD (even for law school!), and has been hunting pheasant all his life. He loves the Pheasant Forever load.

Remember, you only have a three-bird limit per day. It's not like you are shooting even a box a day of the things, so the cost is far less than you will spend on gas...