During one of the last few weekends for upland hunting at Hill’n Dale, the hunt club I belong to, we scheduled a half-day guided hunt for Elizabeth’s first pheasant hunt. She already knew how to use her Akkar USA Ladies Field Shotgun and spent time practicing by shooting sporting clays.
We had a group of five hunters (four guns in the field at a time), two dogs (who took turns pointing) and our guide. It was a chilly, but sunny afternoon, which was perfect for the amount of walking we had ahead of us.
When we arrived at the hunt, I reiterated how the hunt works. Just to make sure everyone was on the same page. This is what I went over:
1. The four firearms safety rules.
2. Keep your safety engaged and finger off the trigger until you shoulder the shotgun.
3. Maintain a parallel line with other hunters by adjusting your pace as needed.
4. Try to maintain the same distance from the hunter on each side of you.
5. Shoot only in your safe zone of fire.
6. Before you pull the trigger, confirm that you see a blue sky under the bird. (For both the dog and your guides’ safety.)
7. If there is ANY doubt in your mind about whether you should take a shot, don’t do it.
I also went over some pheasant hunting etiquette that you may not know unless someone tells you.
1. Make sure you bring the shells specific to the hunt of that particular bird. Also, some clubs may set limits on the shot size.
2. Pick up your empty hulls or any other trash you come across during the hunt.
3. Never give commands to the guide’s dog. He’s trained his bird dog to do things in a particular way by responding to specific commands. Don’t cause confusion.
4. At the end of the field, empty your shotgun and open the action or chamber.
5. Never get into a vehicle with a loaded shotgun.
Once we met with our guide and he introduced us to Jedd and Fred (the dogs), we headed into the field. For this hunt, we used Fiocchi Golden Pheasant shells. The only thing Fiocchi could do to make these shells any better is to guarantee that the shot hits the intended target. We had no issues with any of the shotguns.
We had Elizabeth walk on the far left side of the line (since she’s right-handed) so she could carry her shotgun in a more natural position and avoid muzzling other hunters. If she were a lefty, she’d have walked on the right side.
Fred and Jedd did a great job on the hunt. It’s amazing to watch a working dog that’s so excited to be on the job.
Elizabeth was awesome. She shot when she was supposed to and didn’t shoot when she had any doubts. She worked her safety like a pro and kept pace with the other hunters. And yes, she added more than one bird to her bag. I was so proud of her.
The Akkar USA Ladies Field Shotgun, paired with the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant, was a perfect combination. Add to that, we set her up for success by spending time with dry practice, shooting on the clays course and going over the safety rules and etiquette of the hunt. If you are taking someone out on an upland hunt, don’t just gloss over these steps. Give them the opportunity to partake in a safe and enjoyable hunt.
