Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

Hi Mike,
    
    I am also primarily an upland hunter. I've always used light trap
    loads for all of the birds you have mentioned becouse I always
    have them available for clay target shooting. I also shoot only
    over/under shotguns becouse I feel that after two shots most birds
    are out of range anyways. I've always hunted over retrievers and
    spaniels until this year. I now have a pointing dog also. I think
    that this is also a variable for consideration for choke selection.
    Since cover is also a cosideration, everything is subject to change!
    My selections are as follows; 
    
           Bird          Chokes        Dog   
          Woodcock       Sk/Sk         all / can't hit woodcock anyways!
          Grouse         Sk/Sk         all / no open shots!
          Pheasant       F/F           Flushing
          Pheasant       Sk/Sk         pointing 
    

    I too am also an Upland Bird Hunter.  My choke/load variations differ
    with the types of forest, cover etc. which I am hunting.  In denser
    forests I use a lighter load (7/8ths ounce - 3 drams).  For open
    forests with meadows, I use 1-1/14 oz loads packed with 3 1/2 drams
    of powder out of an Improved Cylinder tube.  I use these loads for
    all of my Upland hunting, taking only the shots where I'm sure to
    down the Bird.
    
    I hunt with a Browning BPS Upland Special in 12 guage.  It has proven
    to be a very versatile gun, handling both 2 3/4 and 3 inch magnum's
    in either steel or lead shot.  It also uses the interchangeable
    choke tube system which further enhances its versatility.
    
    Duncan
    Ottawa, Canada
    
    
    
    

    RE. latest sub note.
    
    DUNCAN,
    
    Please excuse this intrusion but I was wondering if you could tell
    me if these are Factory loads or reloads.? If they are reloads you
    might consider shareing the reciepies or where one could find it
    in a publication.
    
    Am I correct in assuming that the 7/8 oz load is in the 12 ga also?
    
    I have used and like several of the 7/8 oz 12 gauge loads that are 
    published in either the winchester manual or the hercules manual.
    I particularly favor these loads when hunting Ruffed Grouse or woodcock
    with 12 ga.
    
    What kind of birds do you hunt and do you have a dog? Are you hunting
    in Canada? It must be really good hunting in Canada.
    
    Bear
    

    Bear,
    
    My apologies for not getting back to you sooner!
    
    The loads I am shooting are factory loads which I pick up at a hunting
    and fishing store called Le Barons (this is the U.S equivalent to 
    Cabela's).  The brand names are usually obscure, however I have
    found factory loads from Winchester which fit the bill.  If you
    look at trap loads you can usually find at shell with less shot
    and powder than the typical hunting loads.  The only problem you
    may face is finding the same loads in steel shot.
    
    I have two German Shorthaired Pointers which I haven't hunted yet.
    I am starting to Gun-train one of them now, with hopes to have her
    out this year.  Both Dogs have the Pointing, Retreiving and flushing
    instinct naturally.  They just need some time to get used to guns.
    
    I think the Hunting Canada is probably as good as it gets.  I hunt for 
    Upland and Migratory Birds, bunnies and Deer.  My success rate has always
    been based on the time I want to spend, and how seriously I am hunting.
    I think it would suffice to say that the farther north you go, the
    better the hunting gets.  
    
    Best Regards,
    Duncan