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Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
#6503326
10/20/16 02:05 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
Duck_Hunter
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OP
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I've never hunted any upland birds. My brother in law invited me on his annual January pheasant trip in Kansas. Does anyone have any tips for someone that's never hunted this type of bird before?
Anything y'all can suggest would be appreciated. I don't mind reading links that you think would be informative or if you feel like typing out a response, that would be great too. I'm very excited but it's also making me a little nervous.
I'm going to have to buy clothing and boots for this, so if you want to make suggestions on that, I'd appreciate that too. I know it's going to be colder than a dead witch's nipple face down in the snow in January in Kansas.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6503442
10/20/16 03:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951 |
The best advice I was ever given for public pheasant hunting came from a bar owner in Kansas. "Always believe there is a bird in front of you. Always be ready".
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Sniper John]
#6503520
10/20/16 04:35 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
Duck_Hunter
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The best advice I was ever given for public pheasant hunting came from a bar owner in Kansas. "Always believe there is a bird in front of you. Always be ready". I like it.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6503603
10/20/16 11:45 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427
RayB
red bone Bob
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red bone Bob
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427 |
Buy or borrow an upland shotgun that 7# duck gun of yours will wear you out
There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6503614
10/20/16 12:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
your brother n law should be the one to get info from
Last edited by colt45; 10/20/16 12:01 PM.
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6503643
10/20/16 12:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 680
Eyesofahunter
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 680 |
If public hunting be ready to walk walk and walk some more, we avg 7.5 miles a day walking through the brush in SD. Bring a neck gator to keep that Jan wind from blowing down your neck. Broken in boots, good pants or chaps that can hold up to brush. Always be ready is a great point, you never know where that bird will come from.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6503646
10/20/16 12:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,203
CCBIRDDOGMAN
Bird Herder
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Bird Herder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,203 |
Go to You tube and watch some videos. Well, first ask him if they hunt with dogs or drive the birds with a line of hunters with blockers at the other end of the field and watch videos of that type. At least you will have an idea of whats coming. Nothing to it either way, just be safe, wear some orange and have fun.
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out. I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6503857
10/20/16 02:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 475
Mundo
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 475 |
In January it is most likely driven birds. Take good boots, wool socks (much better than cotton or artificial--they are cooler, and your feet don't blister or get cold from sweat,) clothing that you can layer. A goretex or equivalent outer jacket.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6503881
10/20/16 03:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 503
Buffs 1
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 503 |
layered clothing and not too bulky if possible. As warm as that thick coat is, makes it tougher to shoulder the gun in a rush if you are not used to it.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504026
10/20/16 04:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 246
dune2218
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 246 |
practice shooting a car moving at 12 mph ---------- if you can hit that, you can hit a pheasant.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504098
10/20/16 05:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,501
reeltexan
THF Celebrity
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Take plenty of warm clothes. Our last day up there last January, it was 17 degrees with a 25 mph north wind when we hit the field that morning.
I've hunted cold many times but, dude....
I shot three that morning though.
"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504110
10/20/16 05:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951 |
Being new. Have everything ready to go before you get to the field, so all you have to do is throw on your vest, pull out your shotgun, walk through the gate, and load your gun. Don't be the guy your hunting partners have to wait on. If there are birds in the field near where your parked and you spend a lot of time adjusting gear, slamming doors, talking, etc, those late season educated birds will be moving to the other side of the field before you ever start hunting. This goes back to always be ready; always believe. Be ready from the moment you first leave the truck to the moment you get back to the truck. Do this and you will shoot the first bird at every stop often within 50 yards of the truck. If you have a sling on your shotgun, take it off.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504115
10/20/16 06:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
Duck_Hunter
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Thanks for the advice, everyone (except Colt45).
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: RayB]
#6504118
10/20/16 06:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
Duck_Hunter
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Buy or borrow an upland shotgun that 7# duck gun of yours will wear you out That's a good point. Would a 20g work ok for pheasants?
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: reeltexan]
#6504120
10/20/16 06:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
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Take plenty of warm clothes. Our last day up there last January, it was 17 degrees with a 25 mph north wind when we hit the field that morning.
I've hunted cold many times but, dude....
I shot three that morning though.
Yeah, that's going to be tough. Cold is one thing; cold and high winds are another.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504126
10/20/16 06:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427
RayB
red bone Bob
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red bone Bob
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,427 |
Buy or borrow an upland shotgun that 7# duck gun of yours will wear you out That's a good point. Would a 20g work ok for pheasants? Late season pheasants are pretty spooky, you may want the extra shot. Go with 3" if you take the 20. DH where you at?
Last edited by Barny Topwater; 10/20/16 06:11 PM.
There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504136
10/20/16 06:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951 |
I do my best pheasant hunting with a side by side 20 and a heavy load #6 shot. Easy to carry at ready. Light and fast to the shoulder.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504159
10/20/16 06:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,096
Cajun Raider
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Water, chapstick and sunglasses if snow is on the ground. Been there, done that and going again in January.
Don't talk the talk if you didn't walk the walk.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504167
10/20/16 06:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,501
reeltexan
THF Celebrity
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Buy or borrow an upland shotgun that 7# duck gun of yours will wear you out That's a good point. Would a 20g work ok for pheasants? All I ever hunt pheasants with is a 20 or a 28.
"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Cajun Raider]
#6504177
10/20/16 06:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,951 |
Water, chapstick and sunglasses if snow is on the ground. Been there, done that and going again in January. Sunblock chapstick no matter if it snows or not.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504197
10/20/16 06:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,775
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,775 |
Good thermal underwear. Silk socks and gloves as a base layer, they wick away moisture very well and make a thinner pair of gloves and socks possible...especially gloves, bulky gloves make it difficult. I used to wear a an insulated pair of Isotoners and they were about the best I found for warmth and shootability, not sure they make them anymore. Facemask. Lots of people wear gators, they're great for keeping junk and snow out of your boots and used to be found cheap at army/navy stores. 20 ga. is fine. Remember that the back half of a rooster in flight is nothing but feathers and a wounded rooster will run like Jesse Owens! P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504578
10/20/16 11:05 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
Duck_Hunter
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Buy or borrow an upland shotgun that 7# duck gun of yours will wear you out That's a good point. Would a 20g work ok for pheasants? Late season pheasants are pretty spooky, you may want the extra shot. Go with 3" if you take the 20. DH where you at? I'm in FW. Not sure where we are hunting in Kansas or what the details are but I'll find out Sunday when my BIL comes in town. I've been reading and watching videos, and it definitely seems like they are weary of any noise or anything being off. I don't own a 20g but my wife wants a shotgun and she shoots a 20g waaay better than my 12. Thinking maybe if killing two birds with one stone.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Cajun Raider]
#6504580
10/20/16 11:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
Duck_Hunter
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I do my best pheasant hunting with a side by side 20 and a heavy load #6 shot. Easy to carry at ready. Light and fast to the shoulder. Good to know. Also thanks to reeltexan, who suggested similar. Water, chapstick and sunglasses if snow is on the ground. Been there, done that and going again in January. Also very good to know, but I've been skiing and around snow many times. I've learned the ins and outs of snow protection for the face and eyes. Always a good reminder.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: P_102]
#6504581
10/20/16 11:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,348
Duck_Hunter
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Good thermal underwear. Silk socks and gloves as a base layer, they wick away moisture very well and make a thinner pair of gloves and socks possible...especially gloves, bulky gloves make it difficult. I used to wear a an insulated pair of Isotoners and they were about the best I found for warmth and shootability, not sure they make them anymore. Facemask. Lots of people wear gators, they're great for keeping junk and snow out of your boots and used to be found cheap at army/navy stores. 20 ga. is fine. Remember that the back half of a rooster in flight is nothing but feathers and a wounded rooster will run like Jesse Owens! P_102 Thank, you sir. That's all good advice.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Pheasant Hunting for a Novice
[Re: Duck_Hunter]
#6504588
10/20/16 11:12 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,282
Creekrunner
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I've been following this thread closely. 'All good information about keeping warm, scatter gun, and shot selection. If you want to kill birds, fake a limp and ask to be a blocker.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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