Any tips for a first time pheasant hunt?

[hq]

On Pheasants, a good dog is a must. Especially on areas where the birds are hunted hard and the cover is heavy.

Agreed. There are lots of hunters around here who have never shot a capercaillie (wood grouse), some of whom have tried for literally decades. With my fairly well trained dog(s) I've taken an average of three a year without much of an effort. Here's a nice example of how a pointing dog can work. That's my long-haired weimaraner, pointing a black grouse (the dark silhouette on her right), which is frozen motionless. I could easily walk there, dig out my camera, take a picture, pocket the camera, switch over to shotgun, tell the dog to 'avance' and shoot the grouse once it took off.

A dog can make a world of difference.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Out of curiosity, how does your lead change on a pheasant relative to a similar presentation angle at trap. I was very happy at the bird I did hit but I missed quite a few others. I was trying to use similar leads to trap. I'm guessing I need more lead. I already keep swinging when I shoot, 5 stand taught me that. Looking forward to my next outing.

 

[oneounceload]

Didja take a peek at the birds while shooting? Real easy to do and real easy to miss over the top. Also, those birds are accelerating while clay targets are slowing down after they leave the trap so the lead is different.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I tried not too peak over oneounce. Thanks for the accelerating comment. That didn't occur to me. Bigger leads, I can do that.

 

[oneounceload]

I try not to peak too (but I'm not always successful! )
That's hard enough to do on a clay target, let alone a wild flying bird, watching for the dog, your buds, etc.......

 

[Skoghund]

I love bird hunting with a dog: I've been hunting English Springers and cockers for 45 years. I'm happy just working the dogs but will be carrying a gun on the 16th January. We shoot Pheasants and ducks on a large scale. Best day over 400 this year. On one of the shoots where i work my dogs they put out Chukar one year. What a great little game bird the Chukar is.

 

[hq]

Beautiful classic setting and closing ceremony. I really love those, especially when there's a horn player present to play the appropriate tune for every species of downed game. Even though it's a bit superficial, it's a great reminder of the tradition and paying respect. Spaniels are wonderful flushing dogs, even though we've moved over to pointing breeds and haven't had cockers in almost 45 years.