Missing pheasants

Glenbulldog

Could use some help lads,I keep missing flushing pheasants the area has very little pheasants around but when the dog flushes a bird I can't seem to drop it today I had walked for 4 hours and the dog worked hard to find me 2 birds they broke no more than 5 yards from me and still missed:) any ideas? Another question on average how many pheasants would you meet on a days hunt? Thanks

cookimonster

How's your other shooting, do you shoot flighting birds and if so what are your rough hit ratios. I ask this because if your struggling with hits it might mean that a lesson or two wouldn't go a stray.
If your still trying to get your eye in then I would recommend that you stay away from tight chokes. A flushing bird at 5 yards is very close and if your using improved modified or full your are throwing a very dense and narrow shot pattern which means you'll miss wide of the Mark if your shooting is not spot on. Change the chokes to IC & M for a double barrel or M for a single. If you shoot a fixed choke relax and let the birds get out a bit before pulling the trigger.

Have a go at so DTL on a clay pigeon range this is good for flushing birds. Run the barrels up through the bird from bottom to top and pull the trigger when its top part is covered and keep the swing going. Don't break your cheek weld.

I know there's more I left out but some else will jump in for you

charlie10

i have yet to come home without a bird this season met 7 cocks and 14-15 woodcock today,maybe ur firing too quickly its easy miss i find if u rush the shot ,take ur time and make sure,check the gun isnt too tightly choked maybe,if the bird is only 5 yards leave him out abit ,5 yards is a bit mental give him some chance;););););) 6 yards is fine:):):):):)

dodderangler

How far are you leading before the shot.
I missed a cracker last week but know my fault in it and sorted it today with a very fast woodcock in that wind. Concentrated and gave him a lead before taking the shot.
It'll come mate. No rush

cookimonster

PS....
Ref birds, dependent on weather, time of day, hunting pressure etc.

On the way back from stalking we went to feed a duck splash and only saw one cock pheasant where normally we would count 5 or more out in the open. The birds are still there we are the only ones who shoot it but today they were tucked up or some where else.

Some places have little or nothing others are havens it all depends suitability for the birds and more importantly its not being over shot.

Tawny Owl

Your may be shooting too quick, what length are the barrels of the gun if 28" you will shoot faster than a mate that has a 30" barrel, as he can let the bird out that bit further, also follow the bird aim at it's tail than middle of body then head as you follow fire just ahead, take your time you have loads of time. this may improve your hit rate.as to the amount of Birds I walked for 3 hours yesterday never heard a bird went to dig a small veg plot today from 9am till 12 mates dog put up 6 Birds on the same land I hunted yesterday, keep trying don't get disheartened and the very best of luck.;)

Cass

A few mates of mine had the same issues. I usually see one of five problems with them:

• Hold - One lad used to have the gun almost always shouldered or half shouldered. As though he was ready for a clay coming out of a trap (or was on patrol in Iraq ). As such his natural ability to track, and follow the bird with the gun was gone or by the time he did get on it, it was too far gone.
• Lead - I brought out for a few clays. A good way to see what kind of shooting someone does. I noticed this one lad wwhose shots were always behind the clay and occasionally before. He either gave no lead or such a huge lead that he missed constantly.
• Eyesight - The lad above actually needed glasses but never realised it. Never had a clear sight picture so this could have accounted for his poor lead on birds. IOW he aimed at what he could see.
• Chokes - AS cookimonster said the other lad was using an extra full choke in a semi auto, and with shots from 25 yards back he was firing (almost) a projectile rather than shot at them. He uses a semi auto so i changed his choke to a half and the hit ratio went up.
• Sighting - Different shotguns require a different aiming technique. With my old Betinsoli, when i shouldered it, i found i had to see up along the rib and almost block out the target with the muzzle of the gun. With the Beretta it's simply point and shoot and i should not see any of the rib, only the foresight.

As for amount of birds. I've two permissions that i use for pheasants. On one i might see one or two birds. On the other it's every second step. Average would be about 2- 6 birds in a few hours/half a day. However i rarely if ever shot peasants anymore. No use for them so i don't bother.

The best advice would be to have someone more experienced watching you, and trying to identify problems to work on. I was lucky that i had a long experienced shotgun man with trophies in clay pigeon too, to help me out years ago. That and a Father/Grandfather that shot too.

EPointer=Birdss

Likelihood is shooting too fast & thinking too much.
Every milisecond you spend assessing the goings on in front the actual scene unfolding is fractionally different to what registered in your mind.
I watch back misses on my camera & often see for example crossing birds I was 100% sure I covered were just marginally behind or clipped. Wasn't leading well enough & continueing the swing through.
Few hours at the Clays might be a good way to practice...

Usually walk for 2-3 hours at a go. Meet a dozen birds where I know they are & meet 2s & 3s elsewhere.
Every day is different though & 10 in one bunch in one place today can be none tomorrow.
Have noticed pheasants fighting & spreading a bit last week or 2.

Glenbulldog

Thanks lads the shotgun is sxs full choke and 3/4,I use 71/2 in the first barrel and 5 in the second,it's my first year with a shotgun ,I've hit two for the season but missed a good few,the ep is working like a dream giving me as much time as I want before he flushes but when in miss he looks at me as if to say YOU TOOL I dunno bit frustrating that's all

shotie

some good advice above .sounds to me your firing too quick take your time and aim in front of the bird .i was always told if your going to miss ,miss in front of the bird not behind him .get in a days clays or if can a days pigeon shooting ,

Glenbulldog

dodderangler wrote: »

How far are you leading before the shot.
I missed a cracker last week but know my fault in it and sorted it today with a very fast woodcock in that wind. Concentrated and gave him a lead before taking the shot.
It'll come mate. No rush

Tbh no lead at that range twice maybe that's the problem alright thanks

Glenbulldog

EPointer=Birdss wrote: »

Likelihood is shooting too fast & thinking too much.
Every milisecond you spend assessing the goings on in front the actual scene unfolding is fractionally different to what registered in your mind.
I watch back misses on my camera & often see for example crossing birds I was 100% sure I covered were just marginally behind or clipped. Wasn't leading well enough & continueing the swing through.
Few hours at the Clays might be a good way to practice...

Usually walk for 2-3 hours at a go. Meet a dozen birds where I know they are & meet 2s & 3s elsewhere.
Every day is different though & 10 in one bunch in one place today can be none tomorrow.
Have noticed pheasants fighting & spreading a bit last week or 2.

Ah that would be heaven to me and the bull (ep) it's not for the want of hitting a load of birds,the last one I got was after an hour and I never reloaded after that I was happy to let him tip away for a couple of hours I only take what I need thanks

jimf

The golden rule as I was taught when I started shooting was. Aim where the birds are going not where their coming from from what you have said I think you are shooting too soon At that distance you have no pattern in the shot your first shot is excitement and your second is desperation let the bird out approx 25 yards then when you fire blank the bird with the barrels if you can see the bird over the barrels you are shooting under it master the going away bird first crossers are a bit more difficult and trip to a clay ground is great advise don't get frustrated we all had or should I say have those days missed a cock today good job the springer hadn't a gun or I'd be picking lead out of my arse for weeks

cookimonster

With your chokes your definitely have time to let the bird go a bit further out.

Personally I use No. 6 32-34g as do my shooting buddies who shoot double barrels.

5's will work but remember as the distance to target increase the pattern opens up and bigger shot loads have less shot to gram ratio in comparison to other cartridges of the same wieght and therefore deliver a less effective shot pattern. If you can reach out to your target with a good wide but dense pattern your more likely to get the effective number of shot into the bird to bring it down. Hence a No. 6 32/34g would be more effective in the secound barrel. Unless your using heavy load 71/2's I would stay away from them for pheasant. As usual I'm open to correction.

jimf

cookimonster wrote: »

With your chokes your definitely have time to let the bird go a bit further out.

Personally I use No. 6 32-34g as do my shooting buddies who shoot double barrels.

5's will work but remember as the distance to target increase the pattern opens up and heavier loads have less shot to gram ratio and therefore deliver a less effective shot pattern. If you can reach out to your target with a good wide but dense pattern your more likely to get the effective number of shot into the bird to bring it down. Hence a No. 6 32/34g would be more effective in the secound barrel. Unless your using heavy load 71/2's I would stay away from them for pheasant. As usual I'm open to correction.

I would agree with you 100% 34g no 6 would be my cartridge of choice as well for pheasent

Glenbulldog

jimf wrote: »

The golden rule as I was taught when I started shooting was. Aim where the birds are going not where their coming from from what you have said I think you are shooting too soon At that distance you have no pattern in the shot your first shot is excitement and your second is desperation let the bird out approx 25 yards then when you fire blank the bird with the barrels if you can see the bird over the barrels you are shooting under it master the going away bird first crossers are a bit more difficult and trip to a clay ground is great advise don't get frustrated we all had or should I say have those days missed a cock today good job the springer hadn't a gun or I'd be picking lead out of my arse for weeks

This could be the reason ,I can see the bird above the barrels at all times,so I should block the bird out then give it lead accordingly am I right? Also (sorry to sound thick) how far roughly would a shot be gone before it's reached a good size pattern? Thanks lads for all the previous replies

jimf

Don't get bogged down with shot size pattern chokes etc you will only wreck your head most likely now your saying to yourself o bollix this is all rather confusing but once you get more relaxed all will start to fall into place maybe 1 of the regular shooters on here may be in your area and would be willing to bring you along some day nothing like a bit of moral support

jimf

Have a look online there I a great little book titled know the game shotgun shooting I think its a great little read for anybody taking up the sport

Martin1979

Ive been to told by a mate that he was missing birds all the time with his under and over. Got a side by side and hes hitting everything? Anyone any opinons on this?

Padd2

Forget about missing wen u miss your just leaving him for next week wen u hit on its sweeter if Iyou have missed a few get out on the pidgeons and have fun

pugw

I'm a F*cker for missing those close shots as well, normally due to firing too quickly! I found by leaving the bird to fly out a bit I had better results! Giving a decent bit of lead if he's crossing!

Glenbulldog

Thanks lads will see how the weekend goes

Tiercel Dave

No expert by any means but here's my tips. Step (measure) out 30 yrds, it's a lot further out than you might think. take first shot at that range and you will get second shot off at about 35 yrds. For a start, get in close to the flush, but only shoot at birds going directly away from you. It will help build up your confidence! Cartridges. I use 5's, but use Grand Prix, 30 gr first barrel and Super Game, 32 gr in second. Oh, get your cheek tight into the stock and look at the bead which in turn is 'on' your bird. As I said no expert. Dave

SeaFields

I haven't seen it mentioned but a tip I was given when starting out was to rise the gun and pull across a few things (pigeons, blackbirds) that get up off a ditch for the first couple of fields and mentally say bang in your head when you would take the shot.

It gets the arms moving and makes rising the gun a bit more natural feel than having it under your arm for a few hours before having to rise it for the first time all day to a cock and being all caught up in yourself.