9  Pheasant tips

9 Pheasant tips

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
GOT ROOSTER FEVER? PICK AND CHOOSE FROM THESE SHOOTING TIPS, THEN SETTLE IN AND DROP THE BIRD.

By Tom Carpenter

If you're looking for a few ideas to up your percentage of downed birds, take a look at the following nine upland shooting tips. Pick and choose the ones you think will help now. Keep others you like on the back burner to test at the range post-season, and implement into your shooting later.

1 FEEL YOUR CHEEK ON THE STOCK

Nestle your cheek down on the stock and really feel the coolness of the wood, composite or synthetic. This assures that you're looking down the shotgun's barrel.

 

2 KEEP SWINGING

When you slow down or outright stop gun movement, your follow-through fails and you shoot behind. 

Keep your head down and the barrel moving even after you pull the trigger. 

 

3 DON'T PEEK 

Lifting your head as you pull the trigger changes your sight plane and assures a miss. Keep your head down. You'll see the bird drop just fine with your head down.

 

4 THINK THE 4 B'S

Getting the right lead is easy when you think Butt-Bird-Beak-Bang, pulling the trigger as you pass the bird's beak and keep the shotgun moving.

 

5 PICK A MICRO TARGET

Don't shoot at an entire bird. That assures a shot behind it, especially with that long tail streaming out. Rather, pick out one element at the front of the bird -- neck ring, eye or beak – and consider that your target.

 

6 WORK YOUR FEET

When a bird flushes, take a split second to square up and plant your feet as you mount the shotgun. A steady base solidifies and smooths your swing.

 

7 LEAN IN TO THE SHOT

Really lean in to the shotgun and toward the bird. This helps you achieve an aggressive stance and decisive swing. Haley Hauch, Membership Services Associate at Pheasants Forever, offers this insight: "Imagine yourself standing on the edge of a cliff. Now reach out and grab an apple that's dangling on a tree just in front of your reach. For me that explanation was a game changer, and really let me visualize what that leaning in should feel and look like."

 

8 EXPECT TO DROP THE BIRD

Attitude matters. Big time. Believe you're going to miss, and you will. Move with confidence and without panic, and a puff of feathers is yours.

9 MINIMIZE CLOTHING

Avoid thick clothes, excessive layers and heavy coats in your fieldwear choices. The bulk only catches buttstocks and interrupts your smooth mount and swing, causing shooting panic. My shooting percentage jumped big time this year when I switched form a heavy jacket to light layers below a hoody or pullover (Pheasants Forever's River West Upland Pullover is a good one) and PF's Tenzing Vest.

Previous ReportWarm Hunt
Next ReportButcher Better