Grouse/Ptarmigan Hunting

[CAJumper84]

What's up, Ls and Gs?

Location: Los Angeles
Age: 29
What else do I need to post here so I don't get yelled at? Anyway...

So I'm finally getting into hunting, and I want to go upland game bird hunting this year. What's the best shotgun for that? 410 or 20 ga? Or something completely different?

[ysr_racer]

20ga should do just fine.

Ptarmigan hunting in OC is easy. Drive to John Wayne airport, hop a flight to Anchorage, hop a flight to King Salmon, walk out into the hills.

It's just that easy, but maybe start with dove or quail first

Have you taken the hunter safety class yet?

[mjsweims]

+1

Now for grouse I suggest heading northeast about 125 miles from Montreal. Season starts mid October, almost the same as here. You'll also find some good woodcock hunting. 20 ga or 16 ga SXS are both good. Don't forget your dog.

[parcours]

20ga will work for everything Upland, including Chukar. Though 28ga and 410ga will be more fun.

Chukar: 20ga 3" (1 1/4oz) #5 ( I prefer copper plated )

Quail: 410ga 2 1/2 or 3" #7 1/2 or 8's: (1/2oz or 11/16oz), 28ga (3/4oz #8) or 20ga (7/8oz #8)

Pheasant: 20ga (1 1/4oz) 3" #6 or 28ga 1oz #6

A couple of good dogs:-)

What's up, Ls and Gs?

Location: Los Angeles
Age: 29
What else do I need to post here so I don't get yelled at? Anyway...

So I'm finally getting into hunting, and I want to go upland game bird hunting this year. What's the best shotgun for that? 410 or 20 ga? Or something completely different?

[stevec223]

There are some nice ruffed grouse up by truckee and some nice blues in mendicino,, just in case you'd like to stay in-state... Quail also,, mountain and valley depending on your elevation... I've always wanted to hunt so-cal for doves and quail but havent made it yet... Blue quail in arizona are beautiful birds too... Some day i'm hoping.. Lots of upland hunting down your way, but its a drive just like up here... Start doing your homework and i'm sure you will find some good spots in so-cal!!! Good luck... Cheers.. P..S... A light weight 20 ga. will be your friend forever ....

[-hanko]

I use 20's...

If I know I'll be killing only birds, it's a BPS Upland Special.

For the possibility of maybe killing a deer while I'm otherwise hunting birds, it's a 686 Silver Pigeon.

For skeet, either the BPS or an 1100, built on a 12ga frame, with a factory skeet barrel.

For trap, the Beretta.

[advocatusdiaboli]

Guns:
A 20 ga O&U or SxS is lot easier to carry all day humping up and down terrain and can knock 'em dead easily as needed. I use a 26" Beretta 20 ga O & U more than I use my 28" 12 ga O & U. It's faster and easier to point, it's lighter to carry especially in brush, over fences and terrain, and it carries enough load to do the job every time. The only time I really use the 12 ga O&U is big open fields for Pheasant.

Of course duck/goose hunting is strictly 12 ga for me but that is a different game and with a semi-auto.

Venues:
Unless you like penned birds, you'll have to drive to the Sierra or North into other ranges for Valley and Mountain Quail. Wild Pheasant are rare around NorCal any more. The Dakotas are awesome but a mission not a day trip. East Oregon has Chukar in their natural state. I ma sure Canada has lots of great hunting, Iknow people have been but I have not...yet.