Tominator Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 Been noticing a couple pheasants hanging around out back this year. Had one walk right up to me back a couple of months ago when I was planting some trees. Finally got a snow a couple of weeks ago and went out back looking for them. I saw at least 2, but they were running. They ran a few circles around me and put the slip on me. Since then we haven't gotten too much snow until last night. We got just a dusting, but it was enough to have fresh tracks show up so I loaded up the Benelli and headed out back. About half way back, something jumped and ran away. Could have sworn I saw a cottontail, so I kept going all the while thinking in the back of my head, that's exactly where I saw those birds last time. I got almost to the end of my lot and sure enough, fresh tracks. I could see at least 2 sets. I followed them in, but soon lost the ability to track a single bird because they were zigzagging all over the place. I decided to walk diagonally back to where I saw the rabbit jump and about 100 yards later I saw 2 fresh sets of pheasant tracks running back towards the treeline so I started following them. I don't know why, but a pheasant can get my heart going like a huge buck... 20 steps later a good size bird exploded to my left 3 feet away! I pulled up, but the bead on him and just as I did, another giant bird exploded at my feet and flew straight away. I swung on the first bird and folded him like a cheap tent, then I swung back to the right for the papa bird. I shot once missing as I was behind, but my 3rd and final round left in the gun (a Winchester magnum #4 load) crumpled him as I shot and he bounced into the neighbor's treeline. :toot: :shifty: I collected up the second bird as I saw where he fell. I laid him in the lane and went to look for the first bird. As I went back to where I shot the bird, another bird exploded, this one cackling all the way towards my neighbor's. I could only smile because 2 is the limit in Ohio. I had a general knowledge of where the first one fell so I walked through once with no luck. I ran back to the house and enlisted my 3 boys to come out and help. On the second sweep of the area, my oldest boy Joe said "padre...." Good way to end my Christmas day, eh? BTW--in the second picture you can see the bigger, older bird. I haven't measured the tail yet, but that bird has half inch spurs, he also had fat all over his skin when I dressed him out. Definitely an older bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 Nice birds buddy, congrats! Looks like you should have asked Santa for some new brush pants.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem308 Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 Great stuff! Way to go and great pics. Merry Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need2hunt Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 Hunting pheasants on Christmas - priceless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 Looks like you should have asked Santa for some new brush pants.... I have some, they just don't have zippered legs, so it's a PITA to get them on and off. I knew I wasn't going to be busting up the brambles, so I opted for the more "seasoned" pants, lol. :soda: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted December 26, 2010 Report Share Posted December 26, 2010 That's awesome Chris, good story! I know how you feel, grouse have the same affect on me, my heart will get pumping and breathing will get louder when I'm stalking one. What a blast. Congrats on the birds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted December 27, 2010 Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 Now that is sweeeeet right there. Nothing I like better than hunting pheasant. Wasn't able to make my trip to South Dakota the last couple of years but I look forward to the day when I will be able to again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeyenut Posted December 27, 2010 Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 Is that a 20ga Montefeltro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 Is that a 20ga Montefeltro? Yes sir, it sure is, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeyenut Posted December 27, 2010 Report Share Posted December 27, 2010 Yes sir, it sure is, I am thinking about a new bunny/bird gun. I want a 20ga, but wasn't sure how it would be for pheasants. How far can you stretch out there with that? What loads- 3inch? I'm loving the Browning Cynergy Feather composite stock! See below. http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=014B&cat_id=013&type_id=275&content=cynergy-feather-composite-firearms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 I am thinking about a new bunny/bird gun. I want a 20ga, but wasn't sure how it would be for pheasants. How far can you stretch out there with that? What loads- 3inch? I'm loving the Browning Cynergy Feather composite stock! See below. http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=014B&cat_id=013&type_id=275&content=cynergy-feather-composite-firearms Same gun I had on that bunny hunt when you guys came down Randy. As you can see, it will knock a pheasant down. 20's work fine for pheasant IMO. This gun came with 5 tubes, I use the IC for the most part, although I have used the modified from time to time. I guess it depends on the type of pheasant hunting you're planning on doing. Flushing birds way out there might be better with the modified, or full choke. Hunting over dogs or birds that sit tight like these ones did, the IC works fine. I use a Winchester #6 in the tube, followed by a #5 or #4, then a magnum (3") round as the final shot. Heck, I've killed pen birds with low brass 7.5's with that gun. I guess with any gun, they need to fit you. When I got this one, it was a toss up between the Benelli and the Browning Gold. Both of them fit me. The Remingtons always had a length of pull that was just a bit long for me. The Brownings and Benellis have a length of pull at 14 1/4". Come on down, and I'll let you carry it for the afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Beauties Chris! Hope to get out this weekend on some state land...got a thaw so hope to find some pheasant... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardwood_HD Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 chris i got dibs on the last bird! My O/U is dying to get a pheasant lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.