Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: 253shotgunner on November 17, 2019, 06:53:40 PM

Title: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: 253shotgunner on November 17, 2019, 06:53:40 PM: 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?
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: BLH69 on November 17, 2019, 06:56:32 PM: they are famous for it.
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: jackelope on November 17, 2019, 06:59:55 PM: Chicken with its head cut off ring a bell?
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: bobcat on November 17, 2019, 07:06:44 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: 253shotgunner on November 17, 2019, 07:17:36 PM: Quote from: bobcat on November 17, 2019, 07:06:44 PM
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!
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: CackleBird98 on November 17, 2019, 07:26:34 PM: 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
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: Birdguy on November 17, 2019, 07:55:57 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: 253shotgunner on November 17, 2019, 07:57:06 PM: 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! :dunno:
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: Hilltop123 on November 17, 2019, 08:48:03 PM: Sooner birds, is what dad called them. Sooner run, than fly.
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 18, 2019, 12:52:14 PM: To quote a friend: "Run like a rabbit, die like a rabbit!"
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: Backstrap on November 18, 2019, 05:07:12 PM: 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.
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Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: Birdgetter on November 18, 2019, 05:49:55 PM: Chukars do the same thing, they really get up and go especially down hill.
Title: Re: Is this common? Pheasant down then runs like heck!
Post by: Fletch on December 05, 2019, 01:13:04 PM: always down hill :chuckle: