Pasco
10-07-2003, 09:54 PM
Sheesh this got a little long...
My sons and I went out to Rancho Jamul near San Diego last weekend for a DFG junior pheasant hunt. It was an afternoon hunt, we arrived at about 11:00 AM, shot a few practice rounds, ate some huge asada burritos and waited 'til about 1:00 to get to the fields after the safety and ground rules talk.
After walking only about 100 yards we spotted a bird in the high grass. The boys were in position and the dog flushed the bird. Four frenzied shots went off and that pheasant was shortly in the next county. A little tougher than trap, huh boys? http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif
We continued along with a few more birds, but no hits. I was beginning to think that the 25 shells I brought wouldn't be enough. Why did we do all that practice this summer? http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hitting-self.gif
Later in the afternoon we hooked up with another group and drove a large field, four hunters in a line with dads in tow. This had to do the trick. Near the end of the field a bird burst up to our left with my boys being at the right side of the line. Another hunter we were with took 2 shots as the bird rose and started right. Immediately the bird was out in front of my 12 yr old, he took his obligatory 2 shots and the bird continued. My 14 yr old now had his chance. He had practiced all summer with a fairly light pump gun (bought from Yotegetter here at JHO, thanks, the boys love that gun) but today his brother was using it. He had the Stevens 311 side by side, too heavy for him really, but he can hold it up long enough for a couple shots. At any rate, the bird was directly in front of him and picking up speed as he passed through it and pulled the trigger. POOF, the wings folded and he turned to me with a grin from ear to ear! The bird dropped, dead as a stone as the dog retrieved. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif
It's amazing how little the heat or burrs affect you the rest of the afternoon after that moment. Dan agreed wholeheartedly. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-rock.gif
Great day with the boys. Oh, one more thing, when I got home my daughter asked why she couldn't go. I told her she needs to get her license and get a little stronger. She now does curls with a barbell and 20 pushups before bed, gotta love that kid! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-thumbs-up-aqua.gif
Here's a pic of Dan right after the shot. Also, check the doctored pic in the Digital Camera forum under the October challenge thread. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif
My sons and I went out to Rancho Jamul near San Diego last weekend for a DFG junior pheasant hunt. It was an afternoon hunt, we arrived at about 11:00 AM, shot a few practice rounds, ate some huge asada burritos and waited 'til about 1:00 to get to the fields after the safety and ground rules talk.
After walking only about 100 yards we spotted a bird in the high grass. The boys were in position and the dog flushed the bird. Four frenzied shots went off and that pheasant was shortly in the next county. A little tougher than trap, huh boys? http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-ren.gif
We continued along with a few more birds, but no hits. I was beginning to think that the 25 shells I brought wouldn't be enough. Why did we do all that practice this summer? http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-hitting-self.gif
Later in the afternoon we hooked up with another group and drove a large field, four hunters in a line with dads in tow. This had to do the trick. Near the end of the field a bird burst up to our left with my boys being at the right side of the line. Another hunter we were with took 2 shots as the bird rose and started right. Immediately the bird was out in front of my 12 yr old, he took his obligatory 2 shots and the bird continued. My 14 yr old now had his chance. He had practiced all summer with a fairly light pump gun (bought from Yotegetter here at JHO, thanks, the boys love that gun) but today his brother was using it. He had the Stevens 311 side by side, too heavy for him really, but he can hold it up long enough for a couple shots. At any rate, the bird was directly in front of him and picking up speed as he passed through it and pulled the trigger. POOF, the wings folded and he turned to me with a grin from ear to ear! The bird dropped, dead as a stone as the dog retrieved. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banana-man-yeah.gif
It's amazing how little the heat or burrs affect you the rest of the afternoon after that moment. Dan agreed wholeheartedly. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-rock.gif
Great day with the boys. Oh, one more thing, when I got home my daughter asked why she couldn't go. I told her she needs to get her license and get a little stronger. She now does curls with a barbell and 20 pushups before bed, gotta love that kid! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-thumbs-up-aqua.gif
Here's a pic of Dan right after the shot. Also, check the doctored pic in the Digital Camera forum under the October challenge thread. http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-dancin-red.gif