guyfromohio
Member
1kperday...
For some of us, the wild pheasant is all but extinct. These preserves are the only option.
For some of us, the wild pheasant is all but extinct. These preserves are the only option.
I grew up hunting pheasant in SE Pennsylvania with my Dad. No need to go to a preserve, as we were surrounded by farms with corn and soybeans, perfect pheasant habitat. I recall having the crap scared out of me many times when a hen would flush right out from under my feet. Their coloration makes them virtually invisible when hiding at the base of a corn stalk. We hunted with a pair of Irish Setters which were our family pets. They had great hunting (pointing, etc.) instinct but weren't the best-trained, so they would have a tendency to flush the birds too early, hence the need for a full choke.USAF Vet: If You are going to be hunting over dogs set Your Polychoke on MOD and use High Brass 5`s or 6`s and that should be just about as good as it gets. If You should try your hand at late season wary birds, that are flushing wide or take part in a late season Pheasant Drive. You can`t IMHO beat turning your polychoke to full and steping up to High Brass 4`s. But what ever You decide, You are in for a great experience. Hunting on a private reserve, with not only dogs but handlers as well. You are going first class first time out, just relax and enjoy Your first Pheasant Hunt. I will be very susprised if You aren`t, wanting Your first hunt to last a few more days. And then trying to figure out how You can go again ASAP. I was raised Hunting Pheasant`s and it still thrills and takes my breath away every time a Wild Pheasant flushes right at my feet. I envey You, Your first Pheasant Hunt.
ken
28gr #6 for all my pheasant shooting.
I'm hip... I'm not judging or complaining. I just don't think you need heavy artillery for farmed birds, is all.
Thicker down/feathers in wild birds, I'm told. Maybe smarter and flush further? I have no experience as all the pheasants I've shot past few years have been either farmed or recently escaped from farms. Pretty much everything public is posted around here here now, and the few towns that have a pheasant week get overrun with thousands of hunters. It's a madhouse.Why would one need any different load for released birds as wild birds?
Thicker down/feathers in wild birds, I'm told. Maybe smarter and flush further? I have no experience as all the pheasants I've shot past few years have been either farmed or recently escaped from farms. Pretty much everything public is posted around here here now, and the few towns that have a pheasant week get overrun with thousands of hunters. It's a madhouse.
All I know is IME, you don't have to use heavy #4 or #6 loads to reliably drop farmed birds. Dunno why some people are taking umbrage with this...
Why would one need any different load for released birds as wild birds? Generally the same bird.
Sounds like someone hasn't hunted late season birds on public land. Pen raised bird don't get much exercise and have never been hunted. They taken out of pens, are planted and shot. In the wild birds are in constant danger of all kinds of predators and are more wary, get more exercise and are wise to hunters and dogs. They may be the same but they don't act the same.
Pen birds do not get the running and hard flying in before being chased so the wild birds have tougher muscle. While 7.5s can do the job, I hate cleaning all those pellets out. Larger pellets pack more punch, are easier to clean and just do a better job. I still have some handloads of 1oz of #4s I reloaded for pheasant over 20 years ago. That was just the ticket when I used a light Ithaca pump
That's something I hadn't considered... I used bulk 7.5 because that's what I had handy, and as noted they work fine... but if 5s or 6s do less damage/mess, that may be reason enough for me to switch.I prefer a larger shot because I feel it makes less mess.