Start here: https://pheasantsforever.org/Hunt/pheasant-hunting.aspxI have wanted to get into upland bird hunting for a few years, but I don't really know where to start. Any tips for someone who wants to hunt, has a 12 gauge, but nothing else?
Depending on what you hunt, where you hunt, consider a smaller gauge, lighter shotgun. Caveat... you can go too light and find that you have a bruised shoulder.I have wanted to get into upland bird hunting for a few years, but I don't really know where to start. Any tips for someone who wants to hunt, has a 12 gauge, but nothing else?
Good looking 28ga. I picked up a Franchi Aspire 28ga (made by F.A.I.R.) this past spring. Its my first 28 and I'm digging it. I plan on using it for just about everything.
Taking it for a walk on Wednesday for blue grouse.
The season is here, good luck upland hunters!
Depending on what you hunt, where you hunt, consider a smaller gauge, lighter shotgun. Caveat... you can go too light and find that you have a bruised shoulder.
My personal favorites are 20 gauge double barrel shotguns (O/U & SxS) that weigh around 6 pounds. I can miss birds with two shots just as easily as with three. For pheasants, on easier terrain, I will carry a 12 gauge O/U that weighs about 7.5 pounds. With both gauges, I am almost always choked improved cylinder on the first barrel, and modified on the second. Late season hunting might see me use a tighter choke. For a pump or semi automatic, consider using modified choke.
Local chapters of Pheasants/Quail/Grouse Forever are good places to meet like minded hunters, and some states divisions of wildlife offer special hunts for new hunters. A Group like NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assoc) is an excellent place to learn about training dogs for upland hunting, as well as meet people who enjoy bird hunting. Caveat, versatile dogs are addictive.
Give your local fish and wildlife department a call and ask them for nearby areas to hunt.
I hope that helps.
SGH
The new Fabarm Autumn 20 looks like a nice SxS, but pricier than I want to go. I’m shooting a Classic Doubles 201, which I believe may be an exact replica of the Winchester Model 23, and also made in Japan. One in very nice condition about $2500, so a bit more than half the price of the Fabarm. My only complaint if there is one, is it’s fixed choke (IC/Mod). Lovely wood, and a great English stock.I saw one of those Aspire's at the LGS today, it's a nice gun for sure. F.A.I.R. makes a nice entry level double trigger SxS as well called the Iside, it's very similar to the CZ offerings but a with a little nicer finish out. I believe the name stands for Fabrica Arms Isodoro Rizzini, obviously another Rizzini family member. It appears they make some very nicely outfitted guns as well. Have you taken anything with yours yet?