11-10-2004, 03:40 PM
For pheasant I recommend a 12 gauge shotgun with a modified or improved cylinder choke (which come standard on most shotguns). I like to use 6 shot lead unless I'm on a restriced waterfowl management area such as Powell Slough, in which case nontoxic steel shot is required. In that case I'd use 4 or 6 shot steel.
Go out and shoot a bunch of clay pigeons. It's great practice plus it's loads of fun too. Get used to your gun.
Another good alternative especially here in Utah is to go grouse hunting instead of pheasant. The pheasant hunting in Utah isn't all that great these days. Grouse, however, are plentiful, as long as you don't mind hiking around to find them. Blue grouse can be found at higher elevations in the conifers, or just below the conifer line. Ruffed grouse can usually be found in mixed maple, oak, aspen and other deciduous trees, especially along or near creek bottoms, springs, etc. You can find them up every canyon on the wasatch front, up the Nebo loop, Daniels Canyon, around Strawberry, in the Uintahs, down by FishLake, pretty much everywhere. The proclamation has pictures of what they look like. They're usually on the ground feeding in late morning and are fairly easy targets unless they flush -- then they can fly like a rocket.
Anyway good luck with whatever you do.
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Go out and shoot a bunch of clay pigeons. It's great practice plus it's loads of fun too. Get used to your gun.
Another good alternative especially here in Utah is to go grouse hunting instead of pheasant. The pheasant hunting in Utah isn't all that great these days. Grouse, however, are plentiful, as long as you don't mind hiking around to find them. Blue grouse can be found at higher elevations in the conifers, or just below the conifer line. Ruffed grouse can usually be found in mixed maple, oak, aspen and other deciduous trees, especially along or near creek bottoms, springs, etc. You can find them up every canyon on the wasatch front, up the Nebo loop, Daniels Canyon, around Strawberry, in the Uintahs, down by FishLake, pretty much everywhere. The proclamation has pictures of what they look like. They're usually on the ground feeding in late morning and are fairly easy targets unless they flush -- then they can fly like a rocket.
Anyway good luck with whatever you do.
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