went out pheasent hunting yesterday

[CtHunter8]

went out forthe first time yesterday, with my friend Ian (part-time hunter) and his dad, and his dad's 13 month oldchocolate lab. I was about to bring my shotgun, but his dad told us that we'd just use his 870, cause only one of us will be shooting at a time. So we went, walked alot, and when we were walkin on the edge of a cornfeld, I looked over, and a big fat hen was sittin right there bout 6 inches into the brush. I didnt have the gun, my friend ian did (unfortunetly), but anyway, we got the pup to finally pick up on it, and it flushed very close to my friend and BAM! I waited for it to drop, and it kept flyin....darn. If I woulda hadthe gun it woulda been down, it was an easy shot. Oh well, fun day out though

-Travis-

[MA Jay]

huh? Only one of us shooting at a time? Was he concerned about safety or his dog or just an old worry wart?

[cascadedad]

Great call by Ian's dad!!!!!!

The number one thing is safety. Since Ian's dad is the adult, he has to take responsibility for the kids as well as the dog. One wrong move by anyone and someone could beseriously injured or dead. My oldest son is 14 y.o. now. He has been hunting for 2 years. His first year, I gave him 1 shell at a time. When he shot, I knew things were safe. He now carries his own shells but I still watch him like a hawk. He does an awesome job, but I just don't want him to make a fatal mistake.

Another thing. He KNOWS that if he is unsafe or gets careless or cocky, his gun doesn't come out for awhile. A lot of this has to do with respect and the serious nature of hunting. Even now, I don't think I would take one of his friends with us pheasant hunting. I have no idea how they have been trained in gun safety.

Another thing Travis, you have no idea if you would have made that shot. My suggestion is not to be too cocky about it, because we have all been humbled by "easy shots" many times.

Never complain when someone takes you out shooting/hunting. If you do, you probably won't be asked to go again.

[Pokey]

Travis I know you are young and excited, I hope you learn to be a sportsman and enjoy hunting and not killing. Also what state were you hunting hens?

[sproulman]

my dad only let us use single shot shotguns until we were about 14 or so..he never let us carry a loaded gun up a hill in deer season to put a drive on with hunters ahead of us..

i missed many of big bucks with no shells in gun..but, you know, that is best memories i told my kids of the way dad was and seeing those big bucks in wmu 2g 50 years ago..

boy, the storys i could tell..