Pheasant Hunting - Semi-Auto or Over-Under?

[Sackett]

I'm going on a Pheasant hunt first part of December in Kansas with a buddy. Never been Pheasant hunting but have access to either 12 guage Semi or an Over/Under. Is there any benefit to either. I'm a novice when it comes to bird hunting.

[IowaHunter]

I prefer my O/U because I take my time and concentrate on the shot more. Plus it's lighter than my semi auto. Citori versus 1100.

[8pointer]

o/u

[justjohn]

Take the gun you have the most confidence in and shoot the best.

[Smokeater]

Both are fine. I do however appreciate having the extra 3 rounds sometimes....no plug! There have been several times in South Dakota where you shoot a couple rounds and while reloading or watching the dogs another bird flush out from underneath you. Its nice to be able to wait em out before reloading. Exciting stuff for sure!

[Tequilazo]

O/U and shoot lots of #4's

feels great the next few days

[dustoffer]

Take the gun you have the most confidence in and shoot the best.

This is the right answer--period.

[RTC]

This is the right answer--period.

X2

[Phillip Fields]

I use an O/U. I prefer having the more open choke for the flush and a tighter choke for the second shot. But as said above, use the gun you have the most confidence in.

[Boomerang]

You may want to take #4 lead or larger. I've shot #6 reloaded with 1⅜ oz, 4 DR EQ, ±1,440fps and the #6 will not penetrate the vitals on a pheasant. The #6 will drag a feather into the breast making a ball. Obviously the load killed it, but you want some more horsepower.

They are like hunting turkeys that run like antelope. If one hits the ground, then shoot it again. They can vanish from a bare bean field into 3" of grass next to a water filled canal. One dove in the water and luckily saw the tip of the tail feather sticking out.

If you are in knee high grass or some that has been knocked down from a freeze / snow (December it will be), a clean kill can still result in reflexes causing the bird to flutter. I've watched them just vanish at your feet with this flopping / fluttering. So if you don't have a dog, mark where they go down and get there extra pronto!

If there is snow, a dog is good because big flocks will gather in tunnels. You will never flush them unless the dog can dig down, then you will be amazed how many pop out of a solid white blanket.

We have had a big rooster fly up at our feet with a group of 3 standing around talking. Aim for the head. They are beautiful birds.

[Sackett]

Thanks guys. Since either gun will be borrowed, I'll take the semi. I'm going to keep one for a mount so hopefully #4's won't tear em up too bad.

[Texastaxi]

I worked with this ole Arkansas hill billy a few years back. He was God's honest backwoods ... he still had family, in Arkansas, that didn't have electricity or running water. His opinions and quips, always made me laugh.

He was an AWESOME skeet and trap shooter. I shot with him one day and I had my trusty Remmington 1100; he had some fancy engraved OU that cost half as much as my truck.

I asked him if that fancy shotgun busted the clays any better than my 1100.

He said, "no, but it's like going to the dance with an ugly girl on your arm".

I laughed and then he whooped my tail, shooting.

[iamntxhunter]

Concentrate on head shots. They are pretty big birds and a lot of people focus on the body shot due to it being such a big target, which can easily cause lost birds.
I would go with the auto if it fits you.

[dmcm33]

Go with whatever you're more comfortable holding and shooting. Keep in mind you will be walking a few miles a day in sometimes knee high grass and you get worn down quick if you're carrying a heavy gun.
I shoot a semi-auto because they have an extra shell and I personally can get extra shells reloaded faster, which I think is important because you never know when they will take off. I've shot 2 dead as can be and watched them drop, and stood still while my lab retrieved (I hadn't reloaded yet) and on her way back with a bird she stepped on a live one and I knocked it down too. They will sit forever if it's cold out. I would've been up a creek on that one if I had an O/U.
Also, are you guys doing a guided hunt or hunting on WIHA/friends property?

[dbrock63]

#5 mag loads in what ever 12 gauge you shot the best. O/U just 2 shots or auto or pump you can have 5 shots!!!