Pheasant hunter since 78

[DarZ]

Since I was a kid, I’ve been out hunting pheasants with my dad and grandpa, carrying my own shells as soon as I was able. My go-to gun is a well-worn Remington 870 Wingmaster in 12-gauge. It’s a bit on the heavy side, has seen its fair share of drops, but it’s never failed me.

 

[Alan]

Welcome! I’m glad you shared that story with us. There’s nothing quite like growing up in the field with your dad and grandpa. An 870 Wingmaster that’s seen some action and has a bit of wear tells a far more interesting story than a safe queen ever could.

 

[Red Baron]

Since I was a kid, I’ve been out hunting pheasants with my dad and grandpa, carrying my own shells as soon as I was able. My go-to gun is a well-worn Remington 870 Wingmaster in 12-gauge. It’s a bit on the heavy side, has seen its fair share of drops, but it’s never failed me.

I started out at age 13 in 1963 with a Model 12 Winchester, 12 ga. It was my dad's first "new" gun. 24" barrel plus a Poly-Choke. It did the job on pheasants. (Paper shells.) Now its too heavy. I only use it for doves.

 

[DarZ]

I started out at age 13 in 1963 with a Model 12 Winchester, 12 ga. It was my dad's first "new" gun. 24" barrel plus a Poly-Choke. It did the job on pheasants. (Paper shells.) Now its too heavy. I only use it for doves.

I guess those memories really stick with you and a Model 12 with a Poly-Choke is as classic as it gets. It’s hard to argue with something that was putting birds on the ground back when paper shells were the standard. I can totally relate to that “too heavy now” feeling A lot of those old tanks shot beautifully and felt great, but they definitely made their presence known after a long day of holding them. There’s something special about keeping them in the rotation, even if it’s just for doves or a few easy outings. At that point, it’s less about efficiency and more about staying connected to where you began.

 

[cp1969]

I don't remember where or who I got it from but my first shotgun was a bolt action, tube fed .410. I also don't remember ever shooting a game animal or bird with it and I traded it for a repair of the leaking radiator on my '57 Ford. The next was a Marlin 16 gauge over and under which I got for installing a Hurst floor shifter on his '55 Chevy. Next was an 12 gauge 870 Remington Improved Cylinder which I still have. Later on, a coworker and friend was having rough times and pawned his 1100 Remington 20 gauge, Improved Cylinder. That was a good 40 years ago; he never wanted it or the Ruger #1 that was included in the deal back.

Oddly enough, I found that the 20 gauge 1100 hit harder than the 12 gauge 870. I could always shoot nearby rising quail as soon as I could get on them with the 12 gauge but I had to let them get further away with the 20 gauge. Makes no sense.

 

[DarZ]

I don't remember where or who I got it from but my first shotgun was a bolt action, tube fed .410. I also don't remember ever shooting a game animal or bird with it and I traded it for a repair of the leaking radiator on my '57 Ford. The next was a Marlin 16 gauge over and under which I got for installing a Hurst floor shifter on his '55 Chevy. Next was an 12 gauge 870 Remington Improved Cylinder which I still have. Later on, a coworker and friend was having rough times and pawned his 1100 Remington 20 gauge, Improved Cylinder. That was a good 40 years ago; he never wanted it or the Ruger #1 that was included in the deal back.

Oddly enough, I found that the 20 gauge 1100 hit harder than the 12 gauge 870. I could always shoot nearby rising quail as soon as I could get on them with the 12 gauge but I had to let them get further away with the 20 gauge. Makes no sense.

I’ve always seen the 870s as real workhorses so it’s nice that you’ve still got yours after all this time. You made a great point about the 20 gauge 1100 hitting harder than the 12 gauge 870. Sometimes it’s all about how the action cycles or how the stock fits that really makes a difference. Do you still take that 1100 out for quail every now and then or has the 870 become your main choice over the years?

 

[cp1969]

Do you still take that 1100 out for quail every now and then or has the 870 become your main choice over the years?

I don't hunt anymore. The last time I went pheasant hunting, I found out when we got home that my Dad had passed away. He was very sick and where was I? Out hunting. That left a feeling of guilt that I've never gotten over. At that time, the two Remingtons and a Marlin Model 90 16 gauge were the only shotguns I had. Since then, I've added an Ithaca 37, a Browning A5 and a Browning 725 but have never shot anything but clay pigeons with them. I loaned the Marlin 16 gauge to a friend and he died before he brought it back, so it vanished. I didn't care. He was the guy I got it from in the first place, 30-some years before.

 

[Red Baron]

I guess those memories really stick with you and a Model 12 with a Poly-Choke is as classic as it gets. It’s hard to argue with something that was putting birds on the ground back when paper shells were the standard. I can totally relate to that “too heavy now” feeling A lot of those old tanks shot beautifully and felt great, but they definitely made their presence known after a long day of holding them. There’s something special about keeping them in the rotation, even if it’s just for doves or a few easy outings. At that point, it’s less about efficiency and more about staying connected to where you began.

I have one son who hunts. Hopefully, it will go to him.