birds birds birds birds birds birds birds

[JohnTRourke]

I am so ready for bird season. Loaded up some ammo this winter...

Couple buckets of 28 and 410 not pictured.

Every color is a different bird/critter or shot size.

Red = Dove and cottontail.
Green = Early season Pheasant.
Gold = late Season Pheasant and Jackrabbit.
Grey = Quail.

are you sure you have enough??????

[Hoser]

are you sure you have enough??????

You can never have enough ammo. Unless you are downing or on fire.

[Dave]

OK, upland hunter noob question: why different ammo for early pheasant and late pheasant? Did not know there was a difference.

Is that all 20 gauge?

[Hoser]

OK, upland hunter noob question: why different ammo for early pheasant and late pheasant? Did not know there was a difference.

Is that all 20 gauge?

Heavier shot cause the birds scare up further away later in the season.

All the above is 12 gauge.

That weekend I loaded just over 11,000 rounds.

[SamuraiCO]

Heavier shot cause the birds scare up further away later in the season.

All the above is 12 gauge.

That weekend I loaded just over 11,000 rounds.

If you ever want to get together give me a pm. I have a great english better and will be training a new puppy this year.

[Marine24]

I'm not an expert either but usually the dumb ones are the ones you take during early season. Cover is usually better and typically won't flush until you are closer. I've seen them try to hide in the middle of a dirt road hunkered down in a tire track (one of the dumb ones). I'll typically use 7 1/2 shot with a modified/IC choke during the early season. Late season, you have the survivors left and they are smart. Winter weather has reduced the amount of foliage and cover. The birds tend to run, but when they do flush, longer shots seem to be the norm. I use 3" 6 shot with a full choke in one or both of my O/U.

[sniper7]

You gotta reach out and touch the late season pheasants. Well for those of us who hunt wild birds at least. The pen raised might as well get shot in the pen.

[Marine24]

You gotta reach out and touch the late season pheasants. Well for those of us who hunt wild birds at least. The pen raised might as well get shot in the pen.

Ouch. Shot across the bow for us RMR hunters.

[sniper7]

Ouch. Shot across the bow for us RMR hunters.

Ive done the canned shoots. Just no challenge to it for me. Its a good tool to get the dogs back in shape, but I grew up hunting wild birds, not paying $25 each to shoot pen raised

[SamuraiCO]

Ive done the canned shoots. Just no challenge to it for me. Its a good tool to get the dogs back in shape, but I grew up hunting wild birds, not paying $25 each to shoot pen raised

Agreed. For me it is all about the dog work. I have already proven I can hit what I am aiming at. It is my knowledge and putting my dogs in the best position to succeed makes it for me. We (my setter Luke) and I have been learning from each other over the years. Now he is working running birds much better and I am trying to be patient enough to let him work and stay alert.

Best of luck to everyone here. Sounds like we need a COAR 15 hunt party this year even if it was a RMR. Would be a hoot.