Post by genesis273 on Nov 23, 2020 20:11:38 GMT -5
I did my first put and take pheasant hunt this morning. Interesting experience. Not being an upland bird hunter, I was unsure of the hunting etiquette so I had lots of questions. Such as, if another group flushes a bird my way, do I shoot? Do I let them try to get back on it? Etc... The guys I was with are advid pheasant hunters and had good answers for everything.
My initial impression was there is a lot of hunters. A LOT! But, we really didn't bump into anyone while we were actively hunting.
It was fun watching the dogs work. There was a black lab and s german shorthair in my group. The german shorthair definitely out worked the lab but, they both did good.
Ultimately, I got two shots off today. My first shot came pretty quick into the hunt. This sounds like an excuse but, I was nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I had hunters on both sides of me and dogs in front. I was too focused on them and couldn't really focus on the bird. I'm sure that's a timing issue and something that gets better with experience and exposure. The second shot I still call a draw! Me and the guy to my left shot almost simultaneously. I felt like I hit the bird but, so did he. I didn't argue one bit and insisted he take the bird. They both ended up with 2 and I walked out with an empty vest.
I did, early in the hunt, have an opportunity to shoot a pheasant I seen land about 12' up into a tree. I walked right under him and sized up the situation. I opted not to shoot and didn't think it would be the sportsman's thing to do. (No objections to others doing that btw. I just didn't feel right about it.) So I had one of the others provoke him to fly off. I didn't get the shot as he flew directly towards the 3rd person in our group. He made a great shot!
We struck up a conversation with a gentleman that had a beautiful Brittney spaniel while waiting for the 9am start. He was a very nice guy and I got to see him across the field getting the drop on a bird almost immediately. While we were headed back to our rigs, we see the seasoned bird hunter walking away from them. He was pulling out as we were hitting the parking lot. It appeared he left a rooster on the bed if my truck. Not sure why he out it on my rather than the other two. He must have known right away I was going to wiff it out there! Lol!
One if my other comrades had to leave straight for work and insisted I take his two birds. I told him I didn't want his sympathy ditch chickens but, he was adamant that he didn't have time to clean them and that he had to get to the office.
I got home, cleaned my 3 birds and counted my blessings.
1-Beautiful day in the outdoors.
2-Thoroghly enjoyed my freedom as an American who has the right to hunt.
3-I got to enjoy a hunt with two friends that I don't get to hunt with as often as I'd like to.
4-I learned a lot about a hunting sport I know very little about.
5-I added a little more meat to my freezer.
Did I get to shoot a pheasant? Nope! But, I'd pay the $30 again for the experience.
My initial impression was there is a lot of hunters. A LOT! But, we really didn't bump into anyone while we were actively hunting.
It was fun watching the dogs work. There was a black lab and s german shorthair in my group. The german shorthair definitely out worked the lab but, they both did good.
Ultimately, I got two shots off today. My first shot came pretty quick into the hunt. This sounds like an excuse but, I was nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I had hunters on both sides of me and dogs in front. I was too focused on them and couldn't really focus on the bird. I'm sure that's a timing issue and something that gets better with experience and exposure. The second shot I still call a draw! Me and the guy to my left shot almost simultaneously. I felt like I hit the bird but, so did he. I didn't argue one bit and insisted he take the bird. They both ended up with 2 and I walked out with an empty vest.
I did, early in the hunt, have an opportunity to shoot a pheasant I seen land about 12' up into a tree. I walked right under him and sized up the situation. I opted not to shoot and didn't think it would be the sportsman's thing to do. (No objections to others doing that btw. I just didn't feel right about it.) So I had one of the others provoke him to fly off. I didn't get the shot as he flew directly towards the 3rd person in our group. He made a great shot!
We struck up a conversation with a gentleman that had a beautiful Brittney spaniel while waiting for the 9am start. He was a very nice guy and I got to see him across the field getting the drop on a bird almost immediately. While we were headed back to our rigs, we see the seasoned bird hunter walking away from them. He was pulling out as we were hitting the parking lot. It appeared he left a rooster on the bed if my truck. Not sure why he out it on my rather than the other two. He must have known right away I was going to wiff it out there! Lol!
One if my other comrades had to leave straight for work and insisted I take his two birds. I told him I didn't want his sympathy ditch chickens but, he was adamant that he didn't have time to clean them and that he had to get to the office.
I got home, cleaned my 3 birds and counted my blessings.
1-Beautiful day in the outdoors.
2-Thoroghly enjoyed my freedom as an American who has the right to hunt.
3-I got to enjoy a hunt with two friends that I don't get to hunt with as often as I'd like to.
4-I learned a lot about a hunting sport I know very little about.
5-I added a little more meat to my freezer.
Did I get to shoot a pheasant? Nope! But, I'd pay the $30 again for the experience.
