Wing Shooting: An Introduction

As society continues to evolve and some of the old outdoor traditions fade in favor of new more popular ones, we shouldn’t forget about some of those old outdoor adventures that our grandfathers and fathers enjoyed.  One of the outdoor sports I have found that many people have an interest in, but have never actually tried is Wing Shooting.  Also generally referred to as Bird Hunting.  Make no mistake, wild game hunting is very popular in the US.  In fact, in 2011, 13.7 million people 16 years old and older enjoyed hunting a variety of animals within the United States. They hunted 282 million days and took 257 million trips. Hunting expenditures totaled $33.7 billion.  Big game hunting was the most popular type of hunting. Almost 11.6 million hunters pursued big game such as deer and elk on 212 million days. Big game-related expenditures for trips and equipment totaled $16.9 billion. Of these total number of hunters, a little over half a million hunters hunted Quail.  A closer look at hunter demographics shows that only about 2% of all hunters were African American.  Given these numbers, I can assume that there are comparatively few African American wing shooters.  So if you want to take the path less traveled, the African American bird hunter is it.

As a hunter of various game, I can tell you that some of the most exciting game to hunt is birds.  It’s a test of skill, coordination and concentration.  It is unpredictable in the sense that you never know what path your quarry will travel.  If you are looking to step outside of the normal routine of big game hunting or wildlife watching and want to try something new, may I suggest wing shooting?  Here are some of the reasons I enjoy wing shooting. 

The Hunt

It’s cool to watch the dogs hunt.  Seeing the dogs run through the fields with their noses pinned to the ground is a great experience.  It’s called watching the dogs work and working they are.  Full of energy as the hunt begins and sliding into a more relaxed and controlled state as the day wears on.  Darting in all directions as they try to pick up the sent of birds.  I’ve watched my father spend time training his pointer named Queen and it requires a lot of work to produce a great bird dog.  Like most things, natural ability and drive is what ultimately makes a great bird dog but you must unlock that potential with training. When training and nature align, you see great results in the field.  Once the dog finds the birds he suddenly freezes with his nose ‘pointed’ in the direction of the birds.  Careful not to get too close or the  birds may spook before the hunters have time to get into place and flush the birds.  It could take minutes or hours to get to this 'point'.  If you have paid for a guided hunt on a game preserve then hopefully it's minutes. Either way, when the dogs lock up, it's time for the hunter to go to work.

The Flush

If the dog has done it's job of finding the birds and maintained a proper distance as not to spook the birds, then it’s all on you now.  Your at bat with a full count, center stage under the spotlight, on the free throw line down by one,  at the goal line on 4th down, standing at the tee and the crowd is hushed…..You get the idea, all eyes on you! Including the dogs.  Who I'm sure hopes you drop the birds so he can retrieve it, and get a reward.  You walk up behind the dogs to spring/flush the birds into the air.  You don’t know how many will leap.  Could be one, or many.  Quail make a distinct vibrating and thunderous sound as their wings beat quickly against the air.  It’s an unmistakable sound and one that has briefly frightened more than a few unsuspecting  hunters.  Including myself.  Pheasants are slower at take-off and bail with a little cackling sound as they quickly accelerate.  To me Pheasants are less of a challenge than Quail or Chukar because they are the largest of the common game birds but for others they may be ‘just what the sportsman ordered’. The birds will travel in many directions.  This may include directly back toward you, over your head or between hunters.  This where trust comes into play.  It’s hard to focus on hitting your target if you aren’t sure your fellow hunter has a safety conscience.  You must quickly process the situation if you want to be successful and not disappoint yourself or the dogs.  The birds are in the air!..... Now....

The Challenge

... it’s time to confirm your skills.  Pick your target, raise your shotgun, track your target, calculate speed, trajectory and distance.  Then take the shot.  If there were multiple birds in your covey or perhaps your buddy missed, you get to do this all again before they get out of range.  You have about 3 to 5 seconds to make all this happen and hopefully bag a bird.  This is the thrill and challenge of wing-shooting.  With big game hunting you may only experience that thrill once a hunt.  With bird hunting/wing shooting your thrills are increases exponentially.  The test of speed, judgement, coordination and accuracy all come into play.  (Begin of Brag) I have managed to take triples from coveys with 3 shots in no more than 4 seconds.  I have witnesses.  Experience and quality shot-shells all work together in these scenarios. Queue the "I'm the Man" soundtrack by Aloe Blac (End of Brag).  Continue reading for more humble musings... 

The Reward

Like any outdoor adventure the rewards are often intangible.  You can’t grasp or hold an experience or memory but it often stays with you longer than anything tangible.  The memories I’ve had hunting with family and friends are ones I won’t soon forget.  God willing.  In addition to the memories, in this case you also get something tangible, the birds.  For some, harvesting your own food is a foreign experience.  Recall that meal where you had lobster, crab, hamburger or fish ..... it once swam, crawled  or walked.  The recipes for game birds like Quail, Dove, Duck and Pheasant are many.  Rule of thumb, everything tastes good wrapped in bacon.  If hunting at a game preserve you may also have the option to donate your game if wild birds aren't on your menu..

If you want try a new and challenging adventure, Here are a few tips to help.  

1. A light weight shotgun, 20 ga or 28 ga is preferable.  The popular 12 gauge is overkill and can be quite heavy for all day in the field. 
2. I prefer #6 shot.  It’s good for Quail but also can handle the larger Chuckar and Pheasants.  It also gives you little more distance and energy downfield if you have the chance to go for a triple or if you are fairly new at rapid point and shoot.
3. Hunt with someone you trust to take safety seriously.  Because wing shooting is so dynamic,  it’s best to be with disciplined hunters/shooters.  Not every shot should be taken and these decisions must be made almost instantly.  Ask the former VP Dick Chaney’s bird hunting partner about this.
4. Pick a reputable outfitter.  The should have a menu of options that may include a mixed bag hunt where you can hunt multiple species of birds.  They should be fixed with their prices and give you a clear understanding of what to expect.
5. If you have never been wingshooting then I highly recommend some time on a sporting clays course.  I call it golfing with shotguns.  You go from station to station and try hitting single/double flying clay pigeons that travel in varying directions, angles and speeds.  This is good practice in preparation for your hunt.  If you are not an experienced wing shooter,  it is a good idea to do a self-assessment or get some instruction.  If not, it could end up being a frustrating day for you.

You can also contact me for more information and tips.  Be sure to subscribe for future posts.

Peace and Blessings to you!

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”  Romans 12:17-18 NKJV.