Who is hunting with 16 gauge???

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Ed Norman

Garry,
The breeder of my brittany cash lives about a mile from me, he said to me the other day "if I had a wife that got up every morning and ran my bird dog I would probably die of a heart attack" I just smiled and said there is a reason why she does this. Then I wouldn't say anything else, its driving him crazy Then recently I got her an all wheel drive car for these lovely winters we have up here. (she had a front wheel drive car) my buddy said I would buy my wife a new car every year if she would run my dog every day. He just got back from Iowa where he was pheasant hunting. This thread is interesting about 16 gauges, on a pheasant farm around here my 16 gauge is wonderful with the light r.s.t. shells. I wonder if I might be under gunned if I ever go out west for pheasants with my older fox or parker.

Ed, My experience with pheasants and 16s is long, and I can tell you that the gauge will consistently take these wild, tough birds. However, as is the case with everything, the devil is in the details. Knowing your chokes and their patterns, exercising restraint to not shoot beyond those patterns, and, at least for me, having a dog that can give you a makable chance (and find one you don't center) are what make 16s good for pheasants. If I go specifically after pheasants, I take one of my heavier 16s. If I'm shooting one of my recently made guns that will handle loads heavier than 1 oz., I might carry some 1 1/8 oz. loads for the left barrel, but more often than not, I just switch to #6 shot. When you get someplace where there is the potential to get into lots of wild pheasants, you need to be disciplined enough to pick your shots. It's not easy when multiple roosters get up and your heart is in your throat, but, heck, that's what it's all about.

PS I think I've posted this to you before, but in case not...your wife is a definite "keeper!"

[edgarspencer]

My daughter is now a 16ga. addict. She took my 30" DHE to South Dakota and has been having a ball, showing those O/U guys what a SxS can do, in a girls hands, no less.

[Ed Norman]

Originally Posted by edgarspencer

My daughter is now a 16ga. addict. She took my 30" DHE to South Dakota and has been having a ball, showing those O/U guys what a SxS can do, in a girls hands, no less.

Edgar,
I showed my wife your daughters pictures in here. My hunting buddy hap has offered to let her use a 20 gauge semi auto to try shooting. Your daughters two pictures you posted has given her some more interest. She grew up on a farm, she was the oldest of 7 kids (3 were triplets) I think the parents kind of got wore out after the triplets, so she took over a lot of responsibility especially with the triplets. She has worked hard her whole life, she really likes walking with me when I hunt, so maybe seeing your daughter hunt will give her that final "nudge" she needs to try shooting at least