Pheasant Hunting

[oldman]

My two labs were both females, so they were naturally less headstrong than males. Keep some dog food in your pocket, and if he is getting out too far (I'd say no more than 20 yds) call him back and give him a piece of the food as a reward. They eventually start to recognize how far they should range from the hunter(s).

If he knows what a pheasant smells like, he will start acting excited when he comes across fresh scent -- he'll be looking and tail wagging harder. Encourage him and get ready.

Early season, I like a 12 ga with a modified choke. Later in the season, when birds are more skittish, I'd go full choke. I've owned a Remington 870 for 45 years now, and as the son of a gunsmith, in my dad's opinion, it is the best gun going for the money.

BTW, good advice on the steel (or non-toxic) shot in public areas. Be sure to know the regs for the area you're hunting. Good luck!

 

[heitclone]

The bird population in NW IA has really bounced back. It's not what it was 10-15 years ago but you actually see birds again.

SWI as well, I see birds literally every day. We have a couple neighbors participating in the CRP program, just that 50-60 acres has had a big impact in our neck of the woods. A couple times a year I see huge groups, probably 25-30 birds at a time, I'd never seen them in those kinds of numbers.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

SWI as well, I see birds literally every day. We have a couple neighbors participating in the CRP program, just that 50-60 acres has had a big impact in our neck of the woods. A couple times a year I see huge groups, probably 25-30 birds at a time, I'd never seen them in those kinds of numbers.

I go back up to NW IA every year and help with harvest and up until a couple years ago, you could combine corn all day and not see a single bird. The last few years you could definitely see the number growing.

 

[Bret44]

Yeah from what I've read, the area I'll be hunting has very good numbers.

I know that my roadside scouting (driving on gravel roads) have produced high numbers.

 

[2020cy]

You can get a check cord to try to train for range, but they can be a real pain in brush. Again try to train with whistle, stop on one blast return with two blasts. Be careful with shock collars, but I have used them. Main thing is get them to obey and if they can hunt it will happen eventually.

 

[HardcoreClone]

My two labs were both females, so they were naturally less headstrong than males. Keep some dog food in your pocket, and if he is getting out too far (I'd say no more than 20 yds) call him back and give him a piece of the food as a reward. They eventually start to recognize how far they should range from the hunter(s).

If he knows what a pheasant smells like, he will start acting excited when he comes across fresh scent -- he'll be looking and tail wagging harder. Encourage him and get ready.

Early season, I like a 12 ga with a modified choke. Later in the season, when birds are more skittish, I'd go full choke. I've owned a Remington 870 for 45 years now, and as the son of a gunsmith, in my dad's opinion, it is the best gun going for the money.

BTW, good advice on the steel (or non-toxic) shot in public areas. Be sure to know the regs for the area you're hunting. Good luck!

We have used the food/positive reinforcement in his day-to-day training so far, so I'll make sure to bring along food.

I will check out the Rem 870.
Thanks for the tips!

 

[HardcoreClone]

You can get a check cord to try to train for range, but they can be a real pain in brush. Again try to train with whistle, stop on one blast return with two blasts. Be careful with shock collars, but I have used them. Main thing is get them to obey and if they can hunt it will happen eventually.

I have some old officiating whistles. Will those work or do you recommend a specific "dog" whistle? Any tips on how to start training him to stop with 1 blast, return with 2 blasts?
Thanks for the help!

 

[HardcoreClone]

Rocky and Danner brands are both good. Get a higher boot, support is key if you're going to be walking all day. Waterproof, for sure.

Are most hunting boots a mix of poly/rubber material, or are there many that are leather? If possible, I'd like to get something that doesn't get stuck with burs all over. I'm thinking I'll check out Scheels or Sportsmans, unless there are better places you recommend?

 

[cycloner29]

I have a Browning 12 gauge. Being a lefty the 870 would have ejected shells in my face. Browning has eject below and it just felt better to me than the 870.

 

[NWICY]

If you want to drop the bucks Bernelli semi autos are really nice on recoil, don't have one but have used one nice guns. Remingtons are a whole lot cheaper, just as dependable and easy to find.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Remington 870 Express

If I were to go hunting again (have not in decades) I'd have to drag out my dad's old Winchester Model 97 which is older than most who post on CF. The shotgun and I are the same ago. Hell, even the ammo I have is technically "vintage".

 

[Cyfan1965]

Had great golden years ago- hid skins in back yard under trees bushes stuff worked great- I didnt use a whistle, to loud, so I would whistle once for him to circle and twice for him to come to me. Maybe just my training method. His tail would circle if it was a hen and go straight up and down if it was a rooster. After about 5 hunts my buddies would just walk by him if his tail was circling.

I taught him a trick....If you said shake he would shake his whole body which nearly gave a stoned pizza delivery guy a heart attack from laughing. You had to say give me five to get the paw. Smart as hell dog- I got another one and just let that one follow him around and didn't have to train the second dog at all. Died at 8 years old of cancer and I spent a fortune at ISU vet clinic trying to save him. Still kills me to this day

 

[arobb]

If I were to go hunting again (have not in decades) I'd have to drag out my dad's old Winchester Model 97 which is older than most who post on CF. The shotgun and I are the same ago. Hell, even the ammo I have is technically "vintage".

I've got my grandpa's model 97 shotgun. It's literally 100 years old. I still shoot it occasionally with light loads. They are a little sketchy with no safety and an open hammer.

 

[80sClone]

Consider going to a private hunting business for starters. Guaranteed birds. Guides will work with you. Birds will probably sit tighter for your dog. Good luck!

 

[oldman]

I have a Browning 12 gauge. Being a lefty the 870 would have ejected shells in my face. Browning has eject below and it just felt better to me than the 870.

I agree, although they do make an 870 for lefties, special order. Ithaca pumps have a bottom eject that left-handers like also.

I personally prefer a pump -- IMO an automatic has a tendency to jam sometimes, particularly the gas operated ones, and I usually can keep myself from firing that third (and typically wasted) shot, using the pump.

 

[CyclonesRock]

I prefer 4 shot. Fewer shot to mangle the meat, higher dead drop rate which means less runners and thus lost birds (although less of a problem when using a good dog), and more kill range. I usually wait until my buddies shoot using their 6 shot and then shoot and actually kill the bird instead of showering feathers.

 

[RunninMan]

I'm going with some relatives, I believe it's all private farm land/CRP that they have connections to.

I already have some heavy duty upland pants and my blaze vest. Any recommended boots? I have some good low cut ones, but I think I want something hhigher on the ankle for more support walking through fields. Obviously I want something that is waterproof and durable.

I would recommend plenty of overlap with your pants and boots. I have hunted in low cut boots before and the seeds and other debris from the grass are super annoying when they get in your shoes.

 

[dtISU]

If you're still getting pup used to a shotgun and birds and open spaces, it can be better to go with just you the first few times. If there's other people/dogs around his attention can go all over the place. Be real careful on using an e-collar.

Seeing a huge increase in birds in central and west central Iowa. My dad still has some land down in Fremont County. Saw two coveys of quail this summer. Sure hope they make it back!

 

[isu22andy]

One thing that bugs me the most in taking a hunter I dont know well or is new to hunting is gun safety. Keep it on safety and keep it pointed in the air. I took a friend from college hunting one time and had a rifle go off exiting the rear window in my single cab pickup 2 feet from the center of my head. I like to drink beer and mess around with the best of them but a loaded gun pointed at me makes me pretty uneasy.

Dont go guided, and dont buy alot of gear . The boots you have are fine, grab an orange vest from walmart some shells any coat or hoody or jeans and have fun. Nothing to it .

If your looking for shotguns to buy Id buy a Stoeger M3500. I own a Benelli SBE II but have hunted along side Stoegers for years and they perform flawless . Autoloaders have come along way from the old ones. Spend the extra 200 bucks for a semi automatic vs a pump if you're gonna go more than 2-3 times a year. Id get a 12 gauge. Graduated from the 20 gauge when I was 16 never looked back. 2&3/4 5 Shot or 3 inch 5 shot is perfect. I use modified choke. Youll get alot of opinions on chokes.

 

[Sparkplug]

I have a Browning 12 gauge. Being a lefty the 870 would have ejected shells in my face. Browning has eject below and it just felt better to me than the 870.

We have a left handed 870. It confused people at a trap event when it ejected