Hunting Game Birds

Hunting game birds can be fun as well as challenging. Before you go hunting, here are tips for safety:

• Every shotgun must be treated as though it is loaded all times and carefully handled.

• The safety should be kept on up until immediately before you take a shot.

• Keep your shooting finger away from the trigger, resting it behind the trigger guard.

• Be very sure of your target and when in doubt, do not shoot; be mindful of the position of blockers as well as walkers.

• Never attempt shooting at “low flying” birds.

• Be familiar with your gun’s range.

• Wear a neon orange cap or vest so that other hunters can see you from a far distance.

Pheasant hunting tips:

• Pheasants choose thick cover such as tall grasses for resting, so you can find them in these areas.

• A dog is essential when hunting for pheasant. It will locate birds that “hold tight”.

• Any breed of dog can do the job, as long as your dog works closely and carefully listens to you, and is not too active - running too far in front and flushing the birds too soon.

• Most hunters know that by quietly and slowly walking “back and forth” through the field, the birds are flushed or they move ahead of the walkers offering blockers on the other side of the “cover” a shooting opportunity.

• When hunting on large areas like corn fields, "blockers" are necessary. Because pheasants can run very quickly, “blockers” or hunters who are positioned at the other end or side of the area can shoot the birds as they break from their cover. “Blockers” compel the pheasant to hold much tighter therefore blockers and walkers both have more “shooting action”.

Turkey hunting tips:

• Before setting out to hunt turkey, cut several branches and twigs for breaking up your “outline”.

• Take the time to determine where the feeding, strutting or roosting areas are. Knowing these will enable you to anticipate the turkeys’ movement and set up ahead that movement making it easier to shoot in range.

• If after a few days you are unsuccessful, do not give up, as time goes by, you learn and become more adept.

• It is a misconception that when a turkey sees a hunter and runs, the hunt is over. Just wait about 30 minutes and change your position before doing another “call”. They have a tendency to return.

• When using decoys use one “tom” and two hens. The “tom” then will be jealous and will take charge. So position the “tom” in a manner that will give you a good shot.

• While walking, move slowly and do some soft “calls” occasionally. This will mimic a stray hen moving and can possibly attract a “big tom”.

• Wear camouflage clothing that appears to be leaves and has the colors of your surroundings.

• If you “roosted” a turkey, move away about 100 yards, position yourself, and let out several yelps and flap your arm like a turkey wing for a few seconds. You will have a satisfactory response.

• Try locating turkey in the evening prior to your hunt the next morning. If you are not successful then just continue the search in the morning: by covering an adequate area; stopping to call about every 100 yards, and listening for a gobble. When you hear the gobble, quickly set up - there is the possibility that he is headed toward you.

• Find a spot to sit on either near a large tree trunk or a rock large enough to conceal yourself when the turkey passes by, blocking you from his sight, as you get into your shooting position.

• Always take along a small, lightweight folding stool or an inflatable seat pad when turkey hunting. These are very handy and comfortable to sit on during your wait.

Hunting game birds offers a different kind of challenge and accomplishment. As long as you are hunting, just be sure to stay safe and enjoy each and every shooting opportunity. It is not the hit that is so satisfying; it is often the shooting that challenges the hunter. Practice, practice, practice!