muggs Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 (edited) I'm taking my lab pup out for his first pheasant hunt, actually, it will be my first pheasant hunt as well. Just wondering what you uplanders use for ringnecks? This is preserve hunting (not many wild birds in my part of Ohio) so I'm also having them release a few quail- so I'll probably need appropriate shot for both. I was thinking a high-speed 3" #6. Am I on the right track? Also, if you guys have any brand name recommendations I'll take them. I'm basically clueless on all upland hunting... Edited September 18, 2009 by muggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Kent Fast Lead 3" 1 3/4oz. #5 or #6 shot. I was dropping long-tailed roosters dead before they hit the ground at 50 and 60 yards last year! Another awesome Kent Fast Load shell is 2 3/4" 1 1/2oz #5 shot. Federal Premium and Winchester Super Pheasant loads are always good. I'd say the cheaper equivilent of the Kent Fast Lead would be the Fiochi Golden Pheasant. Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted September 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Kent Fast Lead 3" 1 3/4oz. #5 or #6 shot. I was dropping long-tailed roosters dead before they hit the ground at 50 and 60 yards last year! Another awesome Kent Fast Load shell is 2 3/4" 1 1/2oz #5 shot. Federal Premium and Winchester Super Pheasant loads are always good. I'd say the cheaper equivilent of the Kent Fast Lead would be the Fiochi Golden Pheasant. Dakota I'm sure the last thing you want to hear is another dbag interested in coming to SD to hunt pheasant...buuuuut, what are the public land opportunities like up there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 So.... Don't trust me eh? DB. Pen birds, 6's or even 7.5's are just fine. Your shots will be less than 35 yards I'd say. I'd agree with Dakota if you were hunting out west where the birds flush wild out to 50 yards or so, but pen birds, with pen plummage, you won't need much power. That is, unless you like eating mushy pheasant laced with lead and feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted September 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 So.... Don't trust me eh? DB. Pen birds, 6's or even 7.5's are just fine. Your shots will be less than 35 yards I'd say. I'd agree with Dakota if you were hunting out west where the birds flush wild out to 50 yards or so, but pen birds, with pen plummage, you won't need much power. That is, unless you like eating mushy pheasant laced with lead and feathers. A few different opinions never hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted September 18, 2009 Report Share Posted September 18, 2009 Went on a similar hunt as your describing and have go agree with Chris most shots where 40 and in.....I used some high brass #6's and they worked just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 I'm sure the last thing you want to hear is another dbag interested in coming to SD to hunt pheasant...buuuuut, what are the public land opportunities like up there? I don't mind it one bit! South Dakota has a TON of public land and I'd say the best place to go would be towards the middle of the state. Another thing you could do in between public land hunting is road hunting, which is perfectly fine and legal here in SD. Dad and I have a family tradition of road hunting on Sunday afternoons and listening to the Viking's game. What we usually do is drive around areas with high concentrations of pheasant lodges. They have their own wild birds, birds released in years past and birds released just that year. The hunting is incredible! You see tons of birds, can still get your butt kicked by these wily roosters and manage to bag a few in the process. Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdhunter39 Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 i use fiocchi # 5 golden pheasant, the shotgun is a 16 GA with an IC choke and the birds i hunt are pen raised ,most of the public land here are released ( pen raised ) birds . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyohunter Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 i use 3" #6 on wild birds, they work great, have fun and get that dog on some scent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 (edited) For released birds that will be flushing close and the shots will be close---- you do not need anything more than 2 3/4 inch, #5 shot. Just in my opinion 3" is way too much for preserve birds. Save your money. The larger the pellet the less pellets to clean out of the bird or bite down on when eating. Just my opinion (gat mad at me if you like): If the lab is flushing pen raised birds at 50+ yards then he is working out way too far. Good luck and have fun the dog Edited September 20, 2009 by pointing_dogs_rule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 I'm sure the last thing you want to hear is another dbag interested in coming to SD to hunt pheasant...buuuuut, what are the public land opportunities like up there? The Pierre National grasslands can be hit and miss, however, it does hold sharptails and chickens. This spring when I drove the road to Pierre from the interstate I saw more pheasants then I have ever seen in the National Grasslands. The pheasants there are usually spotty, however, this year I bet the pheasant hunting in the grasslands will be great. Stay in Pierre and get a map of the national grasslands... hunt and have fun!!! good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterbobb Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I use #4 if I can use lead. I use #2 if I have to yse steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdre33 Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 I have hunted pheasants and quail for over 20 years and never use anything bigger than 4 shot. If you are hunting both pheasants and quail I would use 6 shot. It is big enough for pheasants and not too big for quail as long as you don't have any close shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzzy1 Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 I would go with #6 shot ,but you don't need 3" shells..overkill !!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 I would go with #6 shot ,but you don't need 3" shells..overkill !!!!! i agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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