When I’ve espoused the merits of shooting at a hit bird a 2nd time, I’ve always stated only if it’s safe to do so, and obviously, if it’s even feasible to do so…some birds hit the deck too quickly…and I don’t believe I’ve attached distances to that idea…but it’d be more likely on farther, higher shots. Is it one out of 3? 5? 10? 20? I don’t 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 don’t keep an exact bird count, I’m in the mid-50’s at this point, bird #’s are excellent….and I don’t believe I’ve ever suggested that I’m a great shot, at any particular distance, but I’m 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 I’m 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 I’ll shoot at a hit bird a 2nd time, for example, but by no means am I suggesting it’s happening on a daily basis…or at any particular distance. This trip, I’d say most of the birds I shot were well within 30 yards, some past that, and I don’t think I did take a 2nd shot at a hit bird, though I might have and I don’t 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 I’ve very rarely done, and I shot 2 roosters over her which was a thrill…she did a stellar job before and after the kill…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 I’ll discuss the merits of doing it, knowing there’s no downside to doing it as long as it’s safe to do so. I’ve never proclaimed to hit the bird with that 2nd shot consistently, but it certainly happens some of the time. I’m no better a shot than anybody else who spends time here, probably worse…but I know with certainty that the more time I’m afield, the more various situations occur, that allow for some friendly discussion about this sport that we’re 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 I’m always trying to maximize the # of hit birds that are found. That’s all. I probably overstep with guys on the hunt that aren’t my invites, but I’ll 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 apologies…I’m 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. I’m 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 it’s possible to do so safely…no real downside….50 cents, basically. I was again pleased with my 12 gauge set up
of IC, 2 3/4” shells of 1.25 oz of #5 lead at normal velocities of around 1250 fps…many shots past 40 yards, crossers, thankfully, but a lethal combo, for me at least. Hope your seasons are going well, and continue to….and lastly, I’ll say this—nothing 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 it’s one contact or 10, to enjoy that experience of just you and the dog(s)….good bird #’s or not…the group hunt thing is fine, and great bird #’s 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 me…that 40 minute walk with my girl Merle, just her and I, was the highlight of my season…what a treat to be healthy, and mobile, and have the ability to put it all together and be out here doing it….I’m aware that for some, getting away is a virtual impossibility, for whatever reason…and something will change things for me, at some point…what will that be? Could be many things…but until that time comes, what fun! Same thing I was doing at 11 or 12, in the wintertime, taking my dad’s lab, and walking to shady oak lake, and finding the cattails and being amazed at the pheasants we’d flush…thrilling!
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