South Dakota Pheasant

E_308

E_308

Well-Known Member
I am booked to head up to SD with a group of guys this fall. Haven't shot a pheasant since sometime in the 90's! As a broke college kid I killed plenty with cheap 7 1/2 shot shells. That said there has been plenty of gains in shell tech since then. What shells do you recommend?
 
A lot of the public land requires steel shot. 3" # 3 steel if you have to go that way. If private land over dogs, a high velocity 2 3/4" shell is fine. If blocking or shooting wild birds, I like a 3" - also with 5's.
 
I've gone for opening weekend in SD every year since 2003 and we've always shot 3" 5 shot. May be overkill but the deader the better. Looking for wounded birds in fireweed is not a fun way to spend your day.
 
I was hoping to get away with 2 3/4 inch shells. Plan on taking both my 870's. The wingmaster only eats 2.75. I need to check with the boys I am going with they have been hunting the same place for years, should have a good idea how rangey they are. Any word on how the pheasant #'s look up there this year?


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I recommend a high velocity 2-3/4" #5. I've never been to South Dakota, but that's what we use in Kansas on wild birds.
 
E_308 said:
I was hoping to get away with 2 3/4 inch shells. Plan on taking both my 870's. The wingmaster only eats 2.75. I need to check with the boys I am going with they have been hunting the same place for years, should have a good idea how rangey they are. Any word on how the pheasant #'s look up there this year?


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I've not seen any numbers but we hunt 100% wild birds 2 days every year with 12 - 18 guys and have only failed to get our overall 3 bird limit one day since 2003. There are always LOTS of birds. What part of the state are you hunting?
 
Well it depends on when u plan on showing up,

I shoot strictly 3in #2 Steel
Can use 2 3/4in

But that is because I hunt the opener out of tradition, from then on all the birds I kill r in December. An I'm not joking when I say u need a little more shell come late season. They seem to add a little body armor, and they r twice as wild an most flush at further distances.

Oh, an I always shoot steel. Know lead hits em harder, but I have dropped a fair number of geese an ducks as we're walking for roosters. #2s work perfect, and don't have to try to swap out shells.
 
We are going opening weekend. Talked to one of the other guys that has went for years he shoots 2 3/4 #6's. I am thinking the Golden Pheasant #5's look interesting. I jumped at the invitation so fast I forgot to even ask what part of SD we were going to!
 
E_308 said:
We are going opening weekend. Talked to one of the other guys that has went for years he shoots 2 3/4 #6's. I am thinking the Golden Pheasant #5's look interesting. I jumped at the invitation so fast I forgot to even ask what part of SD we were going to!
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Hope you have a great time.
 
Cedar Ridge said:
Hope you have a great time.
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We used to bird hunt constantly when I was in high school and college. Then my dogs got old and all the birds disappeared in northeast MO. I saw my first pheasant in probably 5-6 years last year up there. Quail have came back a little too. If SD is anything like what it was when I was there in the late 90's I don't know how a guy couldn't have a good time!
 
E_308 said:
We used to bird hunt constantly when I was in high school and college. Then my dogs got old and all the birds disappeared in northeast MO. I saw my first pheasant in probably 5-6 years last year up there. Quail have came back a little too. If SD is anything like what it was when I was there in the late 90's I don't know how a guy couldn't have a good time!
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Sadly it is not, it is still a good time, just have to been willing to put in a little bit more work an a little more walking to get your birds.

There are still some pretty good pockets of birds. Just gotta know where to look.
 
Got my tru chokes in for the shiny 870, so I have a full, modified, and Improved. Should be covered there. Always have the old stand by 870 SP in case I need the 3"s.

Opinions on brush pants vs. chaps? I was eyeing some chaps from Dan's but not sure if I need any?
 
Dont really need much in he way of brush pants - maybe something with some light nylon facing - I wouldnt wear chaps. Dogs dont need boots.
 
Just got back yesterday. Weather was a little rough with rain Saturday and gusts to 40 MPH on Monday. We were only one bird short of limiting on Monday. 126 birds in three days! The guides were all saying it was going to be a tough year with the number down so much! Not sure I could handle a good year.

As much as I hate to admit it my pumps weren't the right guns for the job with that much shooting of heavy pheasant loads at awkward angles. The Semi-Auto dark side is calling.....

Anyone have any experience with a Benelli M2 shooting everything from 1 oz target shells to 3" turkey loads? A local place has one on sale for $800.
 
Not the Benelli M2, but my pheasant/bird gun is the benelli montefeltro. Killed a ton of pheasants with it. Shoots everything from dove loads to 3” turkey loads. Light, quick pointing gun
 
E_308 said:
Just got back yesterday. Weather was a little rough with rain Saturday and gusts to 40 MPH on Monday. We were only one bird short of limiting on Monday. 126 birds in three days! The guides were all saying it was going to be a tough year with the number down so much! Not sure I could handle a good year.

As much as I hate to admit it my pumps weren't the right guns for the job with that much shooting of heavy pheasant loads at awkward angles. The Semi-Auto dark side is calling.....

Anyone have any experience with a Benelli M2 shooting everything from 1 oz target shells to 3" turkey loads? A local place has one on sale for $800.
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Buy it, if it fits you. They come with shims so the fit can be adjusted. I shoot ducks in FL with low brass 2 3/4 steel 7s and never a hickup. Shoot sporting clays most Wednesdays after work, 2 3/4 7.5s cheapo estates. Same thing, never a malfunction
 
Benelli M2 will shoot the cheapest 2 3/4 off a Walmart shelf to the most expensive 3" magnum Turkey load. No other shotgun even comes out of my safe anymore since I got an M2. Get it with the Comfortec stock system for reduced recoil.
 
E_308 said:
Just called and told them to hold me one. Pick it up Tuesday.
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That's a great price on the M2. I have one and it shoots great. Put it on paper and see if it's hitting high or low, then shim as required. I ended up adding a shim and it really improved my shooting.
 
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