Expert: Kent Staubus - 7/10/2005

Question
Hello:  I have been invited on a pheasant hunt this fall in South Dakota.  I do not have any experience hunting pheasant.  I have hunted quail in Texas for a long time however so wingshooting is not totally foreign to me.  I need information or direction on where to learn about shotguns, technique(s), clothing etc. for hunting in SD this October.  Thank you for this service.  gwm
gwmoms@msn.com  

Answer
Weather should be warm (above 30 degrees,) but could be muddy.  Don't wear cotton shirts/t-shirts as you get all sweaty, then cold when you stop.  Best boots are those without deep tread which might clog up with mud if it's wet.  Pheasants fly a tad slower than quail but generally flush further away.  All the yahoos shoot #2 lead shot, but really #5 lead (#3 steel) is best.  Steel shot is required on public land, and it tends to cripple birds that are shot too far out.  A 2 3/4 inch shell is adequate.  I like IC choke with steel, mod with lead.  Full choke will pulverize them, especially early in the season.  Mostly, be prepared to walk and walk.  Comfortable socks are the most important--don't wear cotton socks.  You can get pretty hot very quickly if walking through chest high cattails or waist high thick grass.  Bring water along.  Just about any shotgun will work, but anything smaller than a 20 ga. is too small unless you are an expert shot.  I usually use a very lightweight 12 ga. Be prepared for temps ranging from 25 to 70, all in the same day.  I've seen it hit 8 degrees the first weekend of October, but that was unusual.  Usually snows some the first week of October but it only sticks for a day or two at most.

Comfortable waterproof boots, thick socks made from synthetic fibers, synthetic fiber undershirt, a light jacket and a medium jacket, hat with ear flaps, 12 ga shotgun with mod choke, 2 3/4 inch mag shells with #5 lead shot (private land) #3 steel (public land,) and an orange hunting vest.  Don't wear camo--makes it hard for others to see you.  People get shot every year here wearing that.  The trick is to be flexible.

Good luck!
Kent in SD