Pheasant Tower Shoot

[william faulk]

Hi All,
I have been invited to my very first Tower Pheasant Shoot.This shoot will be in January in upstate N.Y.
I am bring two guns.a 32" barrel Winchester and a PH fishtail with heavy 20 ga steel barrels.
Need some suggestions on what shot size to use.Both guns have tight chokes.Winchester has ejectors,Parker does not.Parker also is sleeved for 3" shells.Distance could be from 30 yards to 50 yds.
Any tips ..this will be a first for me.
Thanks,
Bill

[Tom Regel]

Pheasants are hardy/tough birds. I suggest #5 shot and hi-brass ammunition. Another consideration for a given preserve is: Some owners/operators issue their own ammo in deference to liability concerns. It would pay to ask before you depart. Recently I shot a Tower shoot using B&P Long Range Ammo which I rate as superb. Enjoy and don't shoot any low birds in deference to the other shooters and any dogs that are working to pickup downed birds. Merry Christmas.
Tom

[John Dallas]

I've worked as a picker upper for years at tower shoots, IMHO, modestly charged #6 shells thru IC/Mod chokes are all you need, The birds are being shot in the front, not going away as n a typical field situation. If you have the option, I would suggest that you shoot the tighter choke first, then in the unlikely event that you miss, you will have the more open choke as the bird gets closer to you

[william faulk]

I've worked as a picker upper for years at tower shoots, IMHO, modestly charged #6 shells thru IC/Mod chokes are all you need, The birds are being shot in the front, not going away as n a typical field situation. If you have the option, I would suggest that you shoot the tighter choke first, then in the unlikely event that you miss, you will have the more open choke as the bird gets closer to you

Thanks,
That make sence...Looking forward to this shoot..but not the cold weather...Bill :whistle:

[Angel Cruz]

Bill, where in NY are you going?

[william faulk]

Angel..A private shooting club a two hour drive from LG Airport..
Nice to have some generous Yankee friends..will keep all posted and with pics...Bill

[Richard Flanders]

I think John is right. 6's will be fine. We did a tower shoot in Michigan in snow a few yrs back. What a hoot it is when a bird flies around the entire circle and at least 12 guns miss him! Sounds like WWIII. We had every shot you can imagine but mostly incoming, but they could be sky high or right on the deck coming straight at you. Never felt the need for heavy loads for sure. Most shots were within 35yds. It was the higher overhead oncoming birds that eluded us the most; I shot the tail clean off one. When we missed those it was always because we were behind them.

[WILLIAM STANELL]

Take ejector gun. They fly fast and many. No time to pull empties

[John Dallas]

The British advice for shooting incoming birds is "Bum, Belly, Beak, Bang" (Start behind the bird, swing through it and pull the trigger). If you can see an incoming bird when you shoot, you are shooting behind it.

[Angel Cruz]

Bill, I forget the name but it's right in the Catskills not too far from the town of East Durham. Beautiful part of upstate NY.
I have a tower shot next Sat. at the club. I missed the one we had last month. Your post was right on time.

[Daryl Corona]

Bill,
I'm assuming the Winchester is a 12. Go buy some 1oz or 1 1/8 target loads in 7 1/2's. In the 20 use 7/8 or 1oz 7 1/2's. Most importantly- have a great time.

[David Hamilton]

Having just shot a tower shoot, I can say that there is much good advice here. We used #8's and 7 1/2's target loads and cleaned up just fine. Perhaps larger shot might have brought some long shots but we went after the escapees with dogs later in the day and had fine time. David

[william faulk]

Thanks David..
Did you shoot double gun ??

[David Hamilton]

Bill, I shot two guns, a 12 ga Parker 1 1/2 frame D with F &F chokes and a 12 ga Parker G grade 2 frame with open chokes. Have fun! David