Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!

[253shotgunner]

This is my third year hunting pheasants and I had never seen this before. My hunting partner shoots a hen (we were in western WA) and it drops like a rock. As we approach it, the bird's head pops up and it starts running away. Luckily, our dog saw this and held it until we came to pick it up. Does this happen often?

[BLH69]

they are famous for it.

[jackelope]

Chicken with its head cut off ring a bell?

[bobcat]

That's because it probably was only hit in the wing. That's why it's so important to always use a dog when hunting pheasants.

[253shotgunner]

That's because it probably was only hit in the wing. That's why it's so important to always use a dog when hunting pheasants.

Thank you. A wing shot explains that situation for me. The bird was very much alive when the dog got to it. I just had never seen that before as all the birds that i have shot were dead upon retrieval. That was a great lesson to learn for my future pheasant hunts!

[CackleBird98]

Oh yeah!  If a pheasant isnt dead or have a broken leg when it hits the ground, without a good dog you can kiss him goodbye!
That's why I always try to hit em again on the way down if they still look alive

[Birdguy]

Using a better load of pellets can help with this a lot. Those Prairie Storm loads are great for folding what you hit. Some pay to play places require it to prevent cripples. Dogs are awesome tools in the bird fields, beside amazing to watch work will recover many birds that would be lost without them!

[253shotgunner]

Yep, I would never hunt pheasant without a good bird dog. I use #2 steel (pheasant release site) and I have never had a runner. Hmmm I wonder what size shot my buddy was shooting? I will have to ask him! 

[Hilltop123]

Sooner birds, is what dad called them. Sooner run, than fly.

[DOUBLELUNG]

To quote a friend: "Run like a rabbit, die like a rabbit!"

[Backstrap]

I watched my dog chase one down and catch it this weekend. Man those things can really bob and weave, circle back, and generally confuse the dog. This was an unwounded but obese bird that did not want to fly.
.

[Birdgetter]

Chukars do the same thing, they really get up and go especially down hill.

[Fletch]

always down hill