When Iāve espoused the merits of shooting at a hit bird a 2nd time, Iāve always stated only if itās safe to do so, and obviously, if itās even feasible to do soā¦some birds hit the deck too quicklyā¦and I donāt believe Iāve attached distances to that ideaā¦but itād be more likely on farther, higher shots. Is it one out of 3? 5? 10? 20? I donāt know. Does it happen with some regularity that I do it? Yes. Do I know for certain that I actually connect with that 2nd attempt? Of course not. Is there any downside to doing it, other than using up a shell? No, not that I can think of. Yesterday wrapped up my 4th trip this season thus far, and while I donāt keep an exact bird count, Iām in the mid-50ās at this point, bird #ās are excellentā¦.and I donāt believe Iāve ever suggested that Iām a great shot, at any particular distance, but Iām shooting pretty well by my standards overall, with those occasional misses that leave a guy wondering. About the only thing I know for sure is that Iām able to hunt a good amount, in a pretty good area historically, with this year being perhaps the best year in a decade, probably closer to 15 years, and taking that all into the mix, I have some opportunities to consistently have that situation where Iāll shoot at a hit bird a 2nd time, for example, but by no means am I suggesting itās happening on a daily basisā¦or at any particular distance. This trip, Iād say most of the birds I shot were well within 30 yards, some past that, and I donāt think I did take a 2nd shot at a hit bird, though I might have and I donāt recall. I know I ended my hunt yesterday by taking my 10 month old pup on a walk in my field with her solo, which Iāve very rarely done, and I shot 2 roosters over her which was a thrillā¦she did a stellar job before and after the killā¦and without question, on shots like those, where a bird flushes at 10, 12, 15 yards, and is hit quickly after flushing, that idea of a second shot is laughable, I get it. But they happen enough, for me at least, that Iāll discuss the merits of doing it, knowing thereās no downside to doing it as long as itās safe to do so. Iāve never proclaimed to hit the bird with that 2nd shot consistently, but it certainly happens some of the time. Iām no better a shot than anybody else who spends time here, probably worseā¦but I know with certainty that the more time Iām afield, the more various situations occur, that allow for some friendly discussion about this sport that weāre all pretty passionate about. And this trip that just wrapped for me on Saturday, that included 6 of us of varying degrees of experience and ability, 3 of whom had no dogs, and are not regulars to the fields, but all of whom were safe, conscientious hunters, saw lots of examples once again of how tough pheasants are, and how tough they can be to recover, and Iām always trying to maximize the # of hit birds that are found. Thatās all. I probably overstep with guys on the hunt that arenāt my invites, but Iāll quiz them on shells, chokes, etc, just to try and increase the likelihood of recovering birds. If I seem boastful about any aspects of pheasant hunting, or hyperbolic, or anything that strains credulity, my apologiesā¦Iām doing the same thing here, chatting with other hunters, virtually none that I personally know, or ever will. I try to promote this sport, and to offer ideas that I think are constructive and helpful, based on my own considerable experience. Iām a promoter of hunting safely, of hunting with dogs, and of doing everything possible to recover birds that are shot. And because I periodically hunt with guys without dogs, it seems wise to encourage that idea of taking a 2nd shot at a hit bird, if itās possible to do so safelyā¦no real downsideā¦.50 cents, basically. I was again pleased with my 12 gauge set up
of IC, 2 3/4ā shells of 1.25 oz of #5 lead at normal velocities of around 1250 fpsā¦many shots past 40 yards, crossers, thankfully, but a lethal combo, for me at least. Hope your seasons are going well, and continue toā¦.and lastly, Iāll say thisānothing beats the solo walk with a dog or two, at your own pace, with no pressures to keep
a pace with a group, and whether itās one contact or 10, to enjoy that experience of just you and the dog(s)ā¦.good bird #ās or notā¦the group hunt thing is fine, and great bird #ās sure make for lots of circus-like drama, but that solitude of being alone, especially during that last 30 or 45 or 60 minutes, with the sun setting and coloring the prairie landscape in unbelievable ways, and to do all this in a more-or-less silent atmosphere, interrupted by some geese flying over, or a rooster cackling a 1/4 mile away, is the payoff for meā¦that 40 minute walk with my girl Merle, just her and I, was the highlight of my seasonā¦what a treat to be healthy, and mobile, and have the ability to put it all together and be out here doing itā¦.Iām aware that for some, getting away is a virtual impossibility, for whatever reasonā¦and something will change things for me, at some pointā¦what will that be? Could be many thingsā¦but until that time comes, what fun! Same thing I was doing at 11 or 12, in the wintertime, taking my dadās lab, and walking to shady oak lake, and finding the cattails and being amazed at the pheasants weād flushā¦thrilling!
I'm one that can't. But I take them occasionally if it's a GOOD 50 yd shot. Not at all a straightaway, no nasty cover, etc. And I'll probably miss most of them, but at least I know my shells are sufficient. It'd be nice to have an excuse, but it's strangely comforting knowing I'm the problem & not my gun or shells.
