Planning the Bird Hunt

Game birds are divided into two basic groups, the waterfowl and the upland birds, and there are numerous species of each. It is always advisable when planning a bird hunt to consider not only the main species desired, but one or more of secondary importance which may be hunted in the same area. Often a disappointing pheasant hunt may be saved by a fine duck, goose, or grouse hunt within the same area. For this reason, wise bird hunters check the legal open-season dates on all game birds in the area they wish to hunt.

HUNTING AREAS

Broadly speaking, today's bird hunter will hunt upon one or more of three classifications of land—public lands, private lands, and hunting preserves.

In many regions, the public lands where much big-game hunting is done also contain upland game and waterfowl. Multiple use of these lands is permitted and encouraged by the Forest Service and allied agencies. No permission is necessary to hunt on these public lands, so long as fire regulations, hunting laws, and localized restrictions—such as no hunting around campgrounds—are observed. In checking areas and general regula­tions, the state hunting maps issued by license vendors are the best source of current information. Local game wardens are another authoritative source.

Hunting on private lands is another matter. In a majority of states, the upland birds are the sovereign property of the state, but live on private property. The landowner controls the right to enter and hunt on that property, and the trespass laws are basically very strict, though ncr always enforced. Waterfowl, of course, are federally owned (that is, by all the people), but the rights of the private landowner as regards hunting and trespass are the same as with upland birds.

The hunting fraternity may as well face the fact that the unfortunate situation of increasing posted lands, and the growing antagonism between hunters and property owners, was caused by the hunters. The few have spoiled the privileges of the many by such thoughtless acts as leaving gates open, shooting too close to houses and stock, driving jeeps over planted lands, trampling over crops, breaking fences, and often such sheer acts of vandalism as shooting livestock, dogs, and domestic poultry.

Such trouble often comes from the city-dweller who seeks to get a year's shootin'-urge out of his system in one day, goes hog-wild, and forgets to treat others' property as his own.

The various state fish and game departments are constantly tying to better relations between hunters and landowners. This is often done by such cooperative movements as planting wind-breaking tree rows and hedges, as well as wildlife food and cover, on farmlands, in cooperation with the soil conservation movement. In return, benefitting farmers grant a reasonable amount of hunting privileges. As one example of how this helps, Idaho has since 1953 opened up more than 157,000 acres of new hunting lands in this way.

In planning for any hunt on private lands, the hunter should cor tact the landowner well in advance of the hunting season. This is best done by visiting him and politely asking for the privilege of hunting on his property. Often helping a busy farmer for a few minutes, or expressing genuine interest in him and his work, will open the doors to hunting privileges.

If personal contact can't be made, then a letter, and if possible the recommendation of a mutual friend, is next best. Any contact and arrange­ment should be made early. Often landowners want only a limited number of hunters on their lands and will deny all late comers.

Once the privilege to hunt is granted to any hunter, it is his responsibility to keep his hunting manners on a high level. The main consideration is, of course, to treat the landowner's property with the respect it deserves, and to keep all promises made to him in return for the privilege of hunting his lands. Such additional friendly gestures as habitually giving the land­owner a bird from the hunt or a present for his wife, help to make the hunter welcome and the privilege of hunting continuous.

Planning for a hunt on a shooting preserve should be done early, and reservations made well in advance. Currently, many of the best bird regions are those farthest removed from cities and suburbs, and the hunting is done out of small villages, resort areas, hunting lodges, and guest ranches. Overnight reservations during the hunting season may have to be made well in advance, and this should be included in the planning.

DOGS

Another aspect of bird hunting which differs from big-game hunting is the use of dogs. One of the pleasures of any bird hunt is the use of a trained hunting dog. Not only is a dog often needed to get any game, but is vital to conservation in that the animal can recover cripples.

The number of trained hunting dogs is small compared to the number of hunters taking to the field. Buying, owning, feeding, and training a dog are all costly in time and money. Moreover, the mortality rate of dogs is high. For these reasons, not every hunter has a dog, much as he would like to own one. Often in planning a bird hunt it is possible to have the use of a dog through hunter partnerships in which a dog owner invites another hunter or two along.

CHECKING EQUIPMENT

Hunting gear receives hard use. Small mishaps and minor damage seem habitually to occur while equipment is in use, and since hunting equipment is in the field when any damage occurs, repairs ordinarily cannot be made right then. Usually, the average hunter brings the gear home with the firm resolve to fix it the next week end. If he is fortunate enough to go hunting the next week end, the item is often dumped somewhere around home, and often left forgotten until needed again.

Winter time is a good season to check all hunting equipment. The fall's hunts may be relived and future hunts anticipated through such pleasant chores as mending hunting coats, putting laces in hunting boots, patching rubber waders, or replacing that duck call someone borrowed and didn't return.

Winter is also a good season for gun repairs, alterations, and even replacement. Good gunsmiths are most rushed just prior to the opening day of game seasons, and are often literally swamped with work. The best ones often won't promise delivery for months, and getting damaged guns into their hands early is smart planning. The same applies for changes in stocks, installation of choke devices, or custom stocking.

Guns are like any other commodity in that the prices, especially of used equipment, follow the seasonal demand and supply. The hunter who buys his shotgun well ahead of the hunting season, or during the winter months following the close of the hunting season, can usually get a better buy than the hunter who rushes in the last day or so, planks his money down and says, "I want a good shotgun."

TESTING THE SHOTGUN

Shotgun tubes, like people, are individualistic. No two barrels, given the same length, choke, and shell, will produce identical patterns at any given range. Due to minute manufacturing differences, variations in metal stress, variables in gun assembly, and similar factors, each shotgun is a law unto itself.

The only way to learn about any gun is to test it with various brand loads and combinations of components. The usual way of patterning shot­guns is to set up a target at 40 yards, fire the loads onto a pape·¯ target, then scribe a 30-inch circle around the thickest part of the entire pattern. The pellets within the circle are counted and their total number considered as a percentage of the total number of shot in the load.

This method works fine in theory but has shortcomings. First, the shoot­ing is deliberate and with aimed shots much like rifle shooting. It may show what the gun will do if aimed perfectly at the target, but does not indicate whether the shooter, in fast wing shooting, shoots where he thinks he is pointing. Neither is the densest part of the pattern always in the center of the spread, nor does this way of patterning give any indication of shotgun fit.

A far more practical way of testing is to shoot at life-size targets, in a way that simulates field shooting. This may be done with little more trouble than simple patterning.

First, a suitable backstop is needed—either a target-butt or a square frame set on legs in a field.

Paper for targeting may be of most any sort so long as it is large. One of the most inexpensive papers is newsprint, which may be obtained cheaply in end rolls left over from newspaper printing. A damaged end roll usually contains a rod or so of paper, sufficient for several targets, and may be picked up at any large newspaper plant. It comes in 30-inch width, and squares of it may be tacked to the frame or backstop.

Targets may be either cut-out silhouettes made from building paper and pasted onto the target paper, or may be drawn in outline right on the newsprint. They need not be artistic, but should be the correct size and general contour of the species to be hunted.

Chinese pheasants average 3 feet in overall length for the cocks, includ­ing tail. Bobwhite quail are from 8 to 10 inches in length. Ruffed grouse are 15 inches and over for the males. A Canadian honker reaches 3 feet in body length and attains a wingspread of 6 feet. And a redhead duck, male, will average around 20 inches in length. In sketching these targets, it is best to have them in the flying position.

When firing at the targets, it is practical to duplicate field conditions as far as possible. The shooter should mark off 40 yards, or other distance at which he wants to pattern, with a plainly visible mark. Then, after backing off some distance at a reasonable angle, he should begin walking towards the target and pretending not to see it until he approaches the distance mark. Once this mark is reached, the shooter should "discover" the paper bird; swing quickly up at it; and without deliberate aim, fire.

To get an indication of what the gun does, numerous targets should be used, at varying distances, with the shooter approaching the target from different angles. The same kind of upper garments habitually worn in the field should be worn. One mistake of the beginning shotgunner is that he usually buys a shotgun while wearing his "Sunday-go-to-meetin'" clothes, but uses the weapon while wearing bulky shooting coats, or cold-weather garments. The fit is not the same.

While practice testing, fire a few rounds with the eyes shut. The ap­proach to the target is made the same, and a good shooting stance quickly taken—an easy position with the feet at approximately 45-degree angle to the target. However, just before the gun is raised, the eyes are closed and the actual shooting is done quickly and from the remaining impression of where the target is. This particular type of practice is splendid for determining shotgun fit.
The targets may be read easier if the pellet holes are marked plainly with an ink pad and an eraser-tipped pencil. The eraser is inked on the

Proper form with the shot­gun should be acquired during practice shooting. Spread the legs comforta­bly, and stand with the feet pointing at a 45-degree angle from the line of sight.

pad,  then  pushed   against  each  pellet  hole,  making   a  plainly  visible marking.

READING THE TARGETS

A dozen or so targets shot in this manner will reveal much. It is true that the factor of lead, or forward allowance, must be disregarded in such static shooting. But the immediate purpose is to determine the gun's pattern and fit.

In this type of testing, the general evenness and uniformity of patterns may be learned. Again, one brand of shell or size of shot may be tested against another. Most beginners are surprised to find that often one brand of shells works best in one particular gun.

Next, the density of patterns at the outside shotgun ranges may be learned from a study of the punctured targets. Often a shooter will discover that he has been shooting too far for his gun's pattern at a given species. Or again, that he is using the wrong gauge of gun for his particular quarry.

If such testing is alternated between quiet and windy days, the gunner

can see that wind affects shot charges by blowing them laterally. But more important, such testing brings to light whether the shooter's gun fits properly; and where the shot charge is actually going in relation to where the shooter thinks he is pointing.

SHOTGUN FIT

Often a shooter will learn in a half-dozen targets that he habitually shoots to the left. Or maybe he shoots right and higher than he thought, or under. If such a difference is constant, his problem is likely that the gun doesn't fit.

It is an unhappy fact that only a fraction of the total number of shooters can be well fitted by a shotgun of standard factory dimensions. It is a

Testing the shotgun on paper targets will reveal flaws in stock fit. Gun here patterns to the left, indicating stock is too long. Charge is No. 6 shot at 40 yards, modified choke, 20 gauge.

Better stock fit is indicated by greater density of shot charge on the bird. Charge is No. 6 shot at 50 yards, full choke, 12 gauge.

price we pay for mass production. The standard dimensions in factory shotguns are a length of pull of 14 inches; a drop at the comb of l½ inches; a drop at the heel of 2½ inches; and a "pitch" of 2 to 3 inches depending upon barrel length.

These dimensions are meant to fit the "average" shooter and represent a fair compromise. Unfortunately, there is no average shooter. Shooters range from stocky, short-armed people to gangling, skinny types. Obviously the gun that fits one won't fit the other.

With the deliberate aim used in most rifle shooting, this isn't quite so serious a matter. Often in the time-lag between when game is sighted and when the shot is taken, the shooter can virtually make the rifle's dimen­sions fit him, and get the sights lined up. In wing shooting there usually

Low shot pattern  suggests that comb of stock  may be too  low. Charge  is  No.  2  shot  at 60  yards,  3-inch  Magnum   12  gauge.

isn't that much time, and unless the fit of the piece makes it point naturally to where the game is going to be, a miss will result.

Stock dimensions on a shotgun, however, may easily be altered into a perfect fit for the individual shooter. And the above testing will bring the faults of fit to light.

First, the length of the stock should be such that when the butt is held in the crook of the arm, and the gun pointed vertically, the trigger finger should fit comfortably on the trigger. This should be checked with the same coat used when shooting. If the stock is too long, the shooter will shoot to the left. Or to put it another way, if the charges on the paper targets have consistently gone to the left, the stock is too long. Oppositely, if the shot charges have gone right, the stock is too short. If the charges consistently have printed high, the stock is too high on the comb. Op­positely, if the shot charges regularly have gone low, the comb is too low.

A good gunsmith can alter a stock to fit the individual shooter at nominal cost. Stocks may be sawed off and re-finished if too long. Recoil pads can be attached to stocks that are too short. Combs are easily worked and re-finished if too high, and may be built up and re-finished if too low. Some firms will soften and bend the stock to overcome these last faults. Or a custom stock may be installed.

Improvement always comes when using a gun that fits, and there is also a magic "feel" about a well-fitting gun which adds materially to the shooter's confidence.

Dead center pattern means good stock fit. Charge is No. 4 shot at 40 yards, full choke, 12 gauge.

WING SHOOTING PRACTICE

For the beginner, any pre-season practice should be based on an under­standing of the principle of lead. In wing shooting, one never shoots at a target, except in those rare instances when a bird is flying directly at or directly away from the shooter. Instead, the shotgunner must shoot where the moving game will be when his charge arrives. This involves a complex combination of angles and speeds.

A good way to understand the principle of leading is to go onto a baseball field and study the players. The fielder doesn't stand in his tracks and catch a fast ball headed somewhere else. He runs to where it will be and intercepts it. Or if the fielder is running, the thrower doesn't heave the baseball to where he is, but throws it to where he will be.

This applies not only to a ball moving in a horizontal plane, but moving in a vertical plane at the same time. Often an object's speed in one plane is vastly different from its speed in the other, which determines the necessary lead for each of the two directions. For example, a second-baseman to catch a hot line-drive headed several yards away from him might have to run 10 feet laterally, but only drop his glove from the original line-of-flight a matter of 18 inches.

A good stunt on a ball field for understanding shotgun lead is to have one person throw a ball much as a bird might fly, then have the "gunner" try to hit this flying ball with another ball. Practice must be done at short range, of course, since the "shot" ball won't be as fast as a shotgun charge. Throwing practice forward-passes with a football involves the same prin­ciple, and is helpful to a beginner. Or have a partner throw tin cans into the air and try to hit them with rocks. Later, if in an out-of-the-way area, practice on cans with the shotgun.

It is often advisable to have an experienced shotgun hunter stand directly behind the shooter and study his actions. Many times the veteran can tell the novice whether he shoots high or low, over or under, or whether he stops his follow-through upon pulling the trigger. Again, shooting over water, either at ducks or thrown objects, will disclose errors of lead—the splashing of the water showing where the charge went.

For the strictly urban resident, pre-season practice is often difficult but not impossible. Even if he can't shoot clay targets, he can stand the gun

Two methods of leading a flying bird with the shotgun: With the sustained lead (above), the gunner swings ahead of, and at the same speed as, the bird and shoots when he feels his lead is right. With the fast swing (below), the gunner begins his swing behind the bird, swings faster than the bird, shoots when his lead is right, and follows through.

in a room corner, pick it up a few times a day, and swing at imaginary targets, or moving targets outside his window. This will help make all motions with the gun come naturally and improve his field shooting.

If the hunter can even walk about a field devoid of game, but practice pointing and swinging at imaginary birds, mentally pulling the trigger and endeavoring to continue his follow-through, he will find that this dry practice pays off.

When a bird flushes from below and ahead of the hunter, he must lead above the target.

A low-flying overhead bird might seem like a dead-on hold. Actually, the hunter must shoot slightly under.

Hunter  must shoot ahead  of  an  overhead,  incoming  bird,  even though his gun barrel will momentarily obscure the target.

When a bird flushes in front of the hunter and flies traightaway, no lead is required. This is a true dead-on hold.

HAND-LOADING

Since the mid-fifties, easy hand-loading of shotgun shells has simplified pre-season practice for the average shooter. Good loading tools are avail­able .rom $50 up. Components are all available, and the simple process is even safer than reloading rifle ammunition. The saving in money is not as much as for rifle reloads, but will average forty per cent of the cost of factory shells.

Reloaded shotgun shells compare favorably in performance with factory loads, and a real virtue of reloading is that one may develop a shot charge for his particular gun which will out-perform others.

This trend towards reloading has made it possible for many shooters to do a bit of trap or skeet shooting when otherwise they couldn't afford it; and this, of course, is some of the best field practice imaginable.

SHOOTING JACK RABBITS

Another helpful form of pre-season practice is shooting running jack rabbits with the shotgun. The necessary lead for running jacks is in a single, lateral plane, and not so complex as for bird shooting where the target also moves up and down. But the shooter who can take running jack rabbits consistently with a shotgun, as they burst from the sagebrush at all speeds in an erratic, zigzag course, won't have too much trouble with the feathered targets during bird season. Besides, jack-rabbit shooting with the scattergun is a fine off-season sport in itself.

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