I get where you're going with this, but the statement is incorrect. Typical shots, and the majority of pheasant hunting shots you can float the rooster. Shots where the bird is rising very fast you cannot see the bird as you described and hit it. Imagine the classic springing teal shot in sporting clays. You must place your shot where the target is going, not where it is. I've seen pheasants shoot straight up when flushed in woody thickets. I do have a citori. Keep in mind if you really wanted to float the target you could go with a trap gun, they often are set up 70/30. Trap is a game where the height the target flies is completely predictable.
