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Missed Bird Excuses
#5377198
10/24/14 01:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,852
wacorusty
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,852 |
Kyle Wintersteen has learned to deal with missing birds用articularly when witnesses are present葉hrough a fail-proof coping mechanism: excuses, and lots of them. So, here are a few species-specific suggestions to help you save face this season. by Kyle Wintersteen October 17, 2014 Here's a confession for you: Every autumn I'm known to miss a few pheasants and ducks. Okay, more than a few, but it's not my fault, really. The thrill of cackling roosters flushing underfoot or drake mallards careening to the decoys is enough to make a shotgun feel foreign in the most seasoned hands. To lose that childlike excitement may result in better wingshooting, but I doubt we'd enjoy the experience as much. In any event, I've learned to deal with missing birds用articularly when witnesses are present葉hrough a fail-proof coping mechanism: excuses, and lots of them. So, here are a few species-specific suggestions to help you save face this season. Teal "They were too small and too fast." Canvasbacks "They were too big and too fast." Pheasants "Did that rooster's cackle sound weird to you? It threw me off." Northern Shoveler "I really didn't want to shoot a spoonbill, but you called the shot so I went through the motions." Quail "I was too taken aback by the beauty of that covey rise." Mallards "Those drakes decoyed so hard that I shot over them." Doves "My shotgun barrel is too long to catch up to these speed demons." Ruffed Grouse "I expected the bird to weave through the trees, but instead he zig-zagged." Geese "I waited too long looking for leg bands." Gadwalls "You can't hardly see gray ducks against this overcast sky." You see? It's easy. And before long you'll convince yourself擁f not your buddies葉hat all those misses have nothing to do with your skill level. http://www.americanhunter.org/mobile/blog.php?id=31871&cid=57
"The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign hands should be curtailed, lest Rome fall." Cicero
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5377209
10/24/14 01:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953 |
cheap shells. every thing I blame is on cheap shells.
I don't care if I'm shooting $15/box Kent Shell, i'll still say the quality control has gone down.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5377227
10/24/14 01:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,852
wacorusty
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,852 |
shot string distortion in the wind
"The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign hands should be curtailed, lest Rome fall." Cicero
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5377237
10/24/14 01:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294
8pointdrop
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294 |
I didn't pattern my shotgun
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5377248
10/24/14 01:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 503
Buffs 1
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 503 |
call got stuck between my shoulder and the gun
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5377256
10/24/14 01:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,778
Gone to Texas
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,778 |
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: 8pointdrop]
#5377261
10/24/14 01:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075 |
I didn't pattern my shotgun That's not an excuse, that's a fact......for a lot of folks!
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: aerangis]
#5377318
10/24/14 02:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294
8pointdrop
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294 |
I didn't pattern my shotgun That's not an excuse, that's a fact......for a lot of folks! Unless the cardboard you're "patterning" on is flying through the air at different speeds and distance, while zig-zagging, partnering means nothing. I've out shot guys with cheap shells and a remington pump with modified choke. While they curse their $25 shells, benelli, and $100 choke. I used to buy into that stuff but dont no more.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: 8pointdrop]
#5377499
10/24/14 03:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 252
txdogman
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 252 |
X2, the main reason you miss is shooting where he isn't. Try shooting where he's gonna be. [quote=8pointdrop]I didn't pattern my shotgun
That's not an excuse, that's a fact......for a lot of folks! Unless the cardboard you're "patterning" on is flying through the air at different speeds and distance, while zig-zagging, partnering means nothing. I've out shot guys with cheap shells and a remington pump with modified choke. While they curse their $25 shells, benelli, and $100 choke. I used to buy into that stuff but dont no more.
Last edited by txdogman; 10/24/14 04:00 PM.
I can make 'em go! and I can make 'em whoa! God makes 'em DO! I carry the gun and blow the whistle.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: 8pointdrop]
#5377531
10/24/14 04:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,953 |
I didn't pattern my shotgun ive used the "may need to go sight it in" after I miss a dove 3 times
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5377942
10/24/14 08:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,595
decook
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,595 |
The clouds parted and the sun was in my eyes.
Press for an AMERICAN.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5378032
10/24/14 09:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857
cmc
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857 |
I was trying to brag on my kid one day when was knocking down doves one after another and I said, man your getting good at this, he said nah Im just shooting amungst em. So yall should try that just shoot amungst em.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: decook]
#5379328
10/25/14 08:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 131
Rluckie
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 131 |
The clouds parted and the sun was in my eyes. Ha ha. Same thing has happened to me.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5379414
10/25/14 10:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
I used to hunt with a guy that shot skeet and sporting clays like it was a religion, when bird hunting he rarely missed. If he missed he took full credit for it, he also taught several of us to do the same. When I miss, I miss, it isn't anything or anybody's fault except mine.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5379453
10/25/14 10:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,652
Novemberyet
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,652 |
I'll be honest with y'all and I'll tell you: I'm not a very good shot. Period.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: Novemberyet]
#5379567
10/26/14 12:11 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,088
Elkhunter49
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,088 |
When I miss it's almost always from taking bad shots....... Shooting to far or before I'm ready! My fault every time.
A true friend reaches for your hand but touches your heart.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5379650
10/26/14 01:10 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,530
Hunt n Fish
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,530 |
I always hit what I'm aiming at!
(even if it was 2 feet behind that bird)
HnF
"Prayer is when you talk to the Lord, Meditation is when you listen to what he says"
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5379950
10/26/14 06:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,342
copperhead
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,342 |
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: Hunt n Fish]
#5380074
10/26/14 12:48 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 877
therock
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 877 |
I always hit what I'm aiming at!
(even if it was 2 feet behind that bird) Ouch!! Way too true!!
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5381516
10/27/14 05:32 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,661
_Scooter_
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,661 |
Honest truth. While duck hunting years back, I took a good spill and everything got soaked- including my cheap ammo. I went home and dried it all off and thought nothing of it. Fast forward to the next season, I grabbed my gear and headed out. I had so many "gimme" shots at decoying ducks and missed every single one. Finally, had one duck land in the spread and I decided to give a skillet shot a try... well, the splash didn't look quite right at all. Missed the duck, too. I found a pizza box up near the road and decided to pattern the gun- BANG! Pretty much at 30 yards it was one huge ragged single hole and a wad dent. The cheap steel shot had rusted together inside the shells, but the powder and primer were still good. Can you imagine if I had hit a duck with one? haha!
Wasn't born in Texas, but I got there as fast as I could.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5382055
10/27/14 03:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 554
Streater
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 554 |
Last edited by Streater; 10/27/14 08:05 PM.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5383785
10/28/14 03:32 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
I thought spoonbill was censored.
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5386021
10/29/14 04:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 82
DogKeeper22
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 82 |
My favorite - I just wanted to shoot 3 times.
Best one I have ever heard in the field, we still laugh to this day "I was sighting in my muzzleloader. I'm used to holding dead on". I in no way can convey exactly how it was said or the situation, but the neighbors and I rehash it every year
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5386727
10/29/14 04:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 950
YellowDog
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 950 |
I was in a 4H turkey shoot with four other guys shooting trap. Came down to me (25 years old kid) at the time and old man in his 60's. I finally beat the old guy in a shoot off. He said he heard a goose hook just before he shot.
Born to Hunt/Fish
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Re: Missed Bird Excuses
[Re: wacorusty]
#5386912
10/29/14 05:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,540
BayouGuy
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,540 |
If you can't laugh at yourself, give me a call. I'll gladly laugh at you. "I keep trying to see Nancy Pelosi's and Chuck Schumer's point of view, but I can't seem to get my head that far up my [censored]." Senator John Kennedy, Louisiana
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