Choking for Wind

[BritChaser]

I usually shoot IC and modified at phez. At what wind speed should I move to modified and full?

 

[Dakotazeb]

I don't see that wind speed should effect your choke choice. Only unless your shots are being taken at longer ranges.

 

[Obi_Wan]

Its all about pattern. If your chokes are patterning well, then wind speed would have little to do with your choke selection. Unless, as Dakotazeb pointed out, you’re trying to stretch out some long shots. I suppose speed of shot could also play a role. Faster shot should have less wind effect. Heavier shot should have less wind effect. So getting some #4 shot may be better than #6 in high wind. But that’s just supposition at this point.

 

[BritChaser]

Thanks fellas. This hop along hunter is going out today in the KS wind, first outing of the season. If I bag one it will be great. If not I will still have been with friends of decades-long acquaintance sharing The Deal. That's the best part.

 

[KEOutdoors]

I usually shoot IC and modified at phez. At what wind speed should I move to modified and full?

Wind shifts all pellets equally, basically moves your whole pattern over. With that being said there is another variable being deformed shot, if your lead shot is deformed due to setback it will cause the pattern to be disrupted by wind.

Lead usually cuts through wind just fine, steel gets blown all over the place. But you'll be talking 35-40 yards before wind makes a difference, and thats long past your IC pattern effective range with lead shot.

 

[Al Bonkers]

The more wind, the less accurate I am at pointing my gun. The wind blows my barrels around, knocks me off-balance, etc. I wd go for more open chokes to compensate.

Also, the birds are easier to get close to on windy days, as they do not hear you coming.

 

[Goosemaster]

Full choke in old guns.ic in newer .

 

[Dakotazeb]

Also, the birds are easier to get close to on windy days, as they do not hear you coming.

In my nearly 70 years of pheasant hunting I have found the exact opposite to be true. Pheasants always seem to be wilder on windy days.

 

[gjw]

In my nearly 70 years of pheasant hunting I have found the exact opposite to be true. Pheasants always seem to be wilder on windy days.

+1, was out today, wind was at that 15 to 18mph. Birds flushed wild. Couple hens did hold point, but the roosters went up 60 to 80yds out.

Never did well in wind or no wind. That 5 to 8mph is perfect.

Stay well my friends

Greg

 

[westksbowhunter]

+1, was out today, wind was at that 15 to 18mph. Birds flushed wild. Couple hens did hold point, but the roosters went up 60 to 80yds out.

Never did well in wind or no wind. That 5 to 8mph is perfect.

Stay well my friends

Greg

I prefer a little wind. I don't know when in the hell you will get a 5 to 8 mph wind in Kansas. I find that with wind I am able to slip up on a rooster much more than calm days. Of course I hunt by myself and not with a people hollering "rooster". Never could figure that one out.

 

[Goosemaster]

+1, was out today, wind was at that 15 to 18mph. Birds flushed wild. Couple hens did hold point, but the roosters went up 60 to 80yds out.

Never did well in wind or no wind. That 5 to 8mph is perfect.

Stay well my friends

Greg

Yeah strong wind not good.

 

[KEOutdoors]

I prefer a little wind. I don't know when in the hell you will get a 5 to 8 mph wind in Kansas. I find that with wind I am able to slip up on a rooster much more than calm days. Of course I hunt by myself and not with a people hollering "rooster". Never could figure that one out.

I always seem to do better on "windy" days (15mph). On those 20+ blow days you can forget about it, and on calm blue bird days (5-10) they always seem to be standing on field edges and run for a mile before flushing.

 

[Goosemaster]

I always seem to do better on "windy" days (15mph). On those 20+ blow days you can forget about it, and on calm blue bird days (5-10) they always seem to be standing on field edges and run for a mile before flushing.

Never yell anything.Wind is good, no wind is not good.bkuebird days not good.Lost one in the cattails today,but limited out.

 

[Goosemaster]

Wind shifts all pellets equally, basically moves your whole pattern over. With that being said there is another variable being deformed shot, if your lead shot is deformed due to setback it will cause the pattern to be disrupted by wind.

Lead usually cuts through wind just fine, steel gets blown all over the place. But you'll be talking 35-40 yards before wind makes a difference, and thats long past your IC pattern effective range with lead shot.

I always shoot 12 dollar lead and I shoot it well in wind.IC in 870 super mag.20 year old Walmart gun,camo,26 in.sling.

 

[Al Bonkers]

In my nearly 70 years of pheasant hunting I have found the exact opposite to be true. Pheasants always seem to be wilder on windy days.

I think they are more inclined to flush wild on windy days but they are vastly easier to get close to if you hunt quietly and avoid letting them see you coming. Also the wind often makes them seek thick cover such as cat-tails, where many hold until the dog goes in and flushes them out.