Pheasant hunting lessons geared toward youth
There’s a certain knack to hunting pheasant, which Auglaize County Pheasants Forever officials
hoped to point out Saturday during its annual event geared to getting young hunters started on the right foot.
Youth Pheasant Hunt participants gathered at the Moulton
Gun Club to review safety procedures specifically for hunting pheasants. Taught by Jeff Brown, who also operates a nearby pheasant hunting preserve, participating youth learned timing is important.
“What we are trying to do is make this as safe as possible,” said Jeff Brown, Shoot Em Game Birds
operator. “When the birds fly, here is what you are getting trained on — is it safe or not to take a shot or
not?” Brown elaborated: “When that bird flies, if he flies straight
out, you take a shot. If he flies a little bit to the left or the right, you take a shot. Each hunter has a
shooting angle from your right to your left about 90 degrees, maybe a little more. If a bird flies behind us, no shot.”
He explained only more experienced hunters should try shooting behind them.
“You got to have the restraint to say no shot,” Brown said.
No one should be looking down anyone else’s barrel during a hunt.
“That’s unethical hunting. That’s unsafe hunting. You don’t want to hurt somebody,” Brown said.
Hunting has its rewards, but no one should feel pressure to kill.
“If you get a shot and get a bird that’s a bonus,” Brown said. “Don’t feel pressured if you don’t get a
Rain
bird today. We are here to enjoy
Likely
and learn how to take a good shot.”
Participants were able to practice on some clay birds at the Gun
Club before heading down the road to the shooting preserve.
Each participant had the opportunity to shoot two birds. During their event, two hunters partnered to participate. Each tradee off taking the first shot at a bird.
Kyle Crouch of Cridersville was shooting with Nate Kehres and neither one needed a back up
shooter. They each brought back two birds.
Brothers Cole and Oliver Bower of New Knoxville bagged one bird each.
Their father, Jarrod Bower said it was a good opportunity
“What they did was what we were looking for,” Bowers said. “Not only being ethical hunters, but safe hunters.”
The organization will host a youth deer hunt later next month.