Quick Hitting Public Land - SD Pheasant Hunting 

It took a few years, but whenever a bird sails to the ground with lots of life left in it, I just let her go. The two spots I guessed that pheasant might have gone were flat out wrong. I agree that’s one of the best tracking jobs I’ve ever seen her do. And I’m darn proud of my little yellow puppy!

Even if I didn’t have the video footage, that was one I will never forget!

Thanks, Mike! There are those moments in the field that exemplify what a dog is capable of doing if we just let them do it and this was one of those times.

I feel the same way, growing up in Huron I always wish I had a dog. This was great video, almost feel as if I was there.

She’s done a very good job this season. We’ve lost some over the years, but she’s batting 1.000 here in 2023! Hope I don’t jinx it. With that said, Ace from lilbrowhydaw bailed us out on Saturday.

Thanks, Ty! God's blessings to you and yours, too!

I really appreciate your comment. Thanks!

Thank you very much, Troy. Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Now you’re just giving her a big head! lol. In truth, it’s just great to get out with those same animals that make our homes and family that much more complete. That they do amazing things is icing on the cake!!

Thanks! That was one definitive shot that I don’t think would’ve knocked down the bird if I hadn’t been using the TSS. Absolutely took the wing out of commission at 50+ yards.

@@jcwoutdoors glad to hear it’s working out for you. Hope it does well for you the rest of the season.

@@DLXSKIFFMITCHELL I’m saving a few for late in January when the birds get especially skittish.

Wow, indeed! I was ready to chalk that one up as a loss, but Sage sure wasn’t.

Thanks bro. Mostly impressed you were up at 1 am to share thoughts on my feermz. Pa nay, bro.

@@jcwoutdoors I'm a very busy man. Finished up a film at midnight, took the PPP out, did Wordle, checked fb and UPHF, & still had an NCNP feermz to watch.

@@lilbrowhydaw Slong, bro!

Thanks, Chris. Duck season is over for us, but I do hunt ducks pretty regularly each fall. The problem is that where I hunt is pass shooting diver ducks between a couple lakes. I shoot a lot of ducks, but it just isn’t as entertaining to watch me take shots at bufflehead cruising overhead at 60 mph versus some greenheads cupping up into the decoys!

@@jcwoutdoors haha just content hungry. Thanks.

I've really enjoyed mine. It's especially helpful on those roosters that fly outside of the frame of my GoPro! I'm hoping to buy the latest version here before the season ends.

Has it been a reliable device, especially in cold temps? Does the company have good support?

@@dukebeach1 That’s a bit more complicated as it was reliable for the first couple years, then last year, I had big issues and had the battery replaced. Since then it has worked well, however, the battery life is poor in 25 degree temps and lower. Supposed the latest version, Generation 4, has solved the battery life and cold temp issue. That’s what I’m looking to purchase.

@@jcwoutdoors Gotcha. Yes, I think that any electronics in the cold always struggle with battery performance. I have a IR setup for coyotes that does not do well with the onboard power supply in anything less than 25 degrees. I plug in an external power brick that I keep in my chest pocket with a long cord attached to the scope. Of course, I'm in a blind on a chair waiting on Wile E to come in so not practical for upland bird. I'll research the latest generation of the Shotkam. Thanks for taking the time to respond and sharing your experience. Good luck with the rest of your bird season. I'm in Idaho and we run until 12/31. Been an okay pheasant season where I'm located, but I'm sure it's nothing like your situation. Wild pheasant are the best. There is a HUGE difference in the pen raised ones we get on, and the wilds even in Idaho. Tougher birds. Smarter. Idaho Fish and Game hasn't put any resources towards wild pheasant population. I honestly think they look at them as an invasive bird and would rather put their resources towards the turkey population. Nothing against turkey hunting at all, but it's a different game. Thanks again.

@@dukebeach1 I completely agree on the battery life/cold weather. Our season runs until the end of January, so we've got a lot of hunts ahead of us. There really is nothing like the challenge and satisfaction of successfully hunting pheasants. I know some folks consider them invasive, but they've been in America just about as long as my ancestors and I feel like they're as American as I am!

Zip it, Dylan!! Those are “pauses” as she considers how to flush. 😂

@@jcwoutdoors 🤣🤣😁

Perfectly said. They have more ability than most people are willing to accept or believe. Just let them do their thing and forget about a time table or anything like that. They’ll let you know if it’s a lost cause, but 9 times out of 10, you’ll put that bird in your vest.

@@jcwoutdoors Exactly. You just have to fight the urge to keep pushing for a new bird and give the dogs some time and trust. Many times they'll want to lead you in a direction that wasn't the "plan" or is a back track, but guess what, that's the direction the wounded bird decided to go. So trust your dog, it knows, especially a retriever.

Thanks! TSS is about 60% more dense than lead, and the penetration with 8.5 shot TSS is going to be similar to 4 shot lead. I don't shoot lead, but if I did, I wouldn't shoot anything smaller than 6 and would likely use 5 shot. A buddy of mine reloaded these TSS rounds and gave me a box to try out. Otherwise, I shoot 4 shot bismuth from Boss.

Thanks and it’s awesome to hear from another South Dakota boy. I use the GoPro Hero 10. It’s been a really good camera, but given the fact that the latest models are always improved and aren’t a whole lot more in the long run, I’d suggest getting the newest model you can afford. If you do get one, hit me up at my email lucasnogelmeier@gmail.com and I can share my settings and set up, if you’re interested. I don’t check that email every day, so if you don’t hear back immediately, I probably just haven’t gotten to it.

He was shooting TSS 8.5 shot. It’s ballistics are just behind #2 lead. I can promise you that is plenty to kill a pheasant. We hunted for a week in early November and if we did our part with the gun the bird was stone dead out to 50yds. Did we have some cripples. Of course we did. I don’t care if you’re shooting a bazooka. If you don’t have the right point of aim you won’t square the bird up. You might not believe it and many don’t til they try it but those 8.5 will out kill your #5 and 6 lead all day and twice on Sunday.

If it were 8.5 lead, I would totally agree. TSS is a much denser metal and is capable of penetrating much more than lead, steel or bismuth.

I had her spayed when she was young. Part of me wishes I could have a pup from her, but it just wasn’t in the cards. I’ve got my name on a couple lists for puppies this spring. I’m excited, but a little sad as I know Sage won’t be real excited about it!

Due to the density of TSS, a much smaller pellet will still have as much penetration at distances as larger sizes of lead.

Love it!

They are TSS, a tungsten matrix. 60% denser than lead. I’ve been happy with them.

If I hadn’t been gifted these by a subscriber that hand loads them, I doubt I’d ever have tried them out.

Thks ps that why ya kant buy 410 in regular steel ther to busy trying to rip us off with tss

@@Imragnar1that’s why I went into reloading.

Oh ya i get it​@@jcwoutdoors

12 gauge Boss #4, 2 3/4”. Prior to that, I shot 3” #2 steel. I still shoot the Boss, saving the TSS for my second shot, anticipating that it could be a longer distance.

I was going to ask a similar question as it's just hard for me to wrap my head around #8 1/2 for pheasants. I switched to Boss 3" #4's in 20 guage for both pheasants and ducks (mainly jump shooting while pheasant hunting) with great success. Keep the videos coming, your content is the best!

@@jimkelley3684 I am no ballistics expert, but maybe someone will chime in. My understanding is that the density of tungsten is what allows the smaller shot size to be effective as it penetrates deeper than other metals. That aside, I think Boss #4 is a very lethal load and will continue to shoot that product.

⁠number 8 TSS penetrates very close to number 2 lead at 40yds. Then you factor in that it’s around 109 pellets in #2 lead and roughly 313 pellets in a #8 tss round. When comparing equal length and payload.

@@DLXSKIFFMITCHELL That's impressive

Touché!

I don’t always address things I disagree with on social media, but that’s one that rubs me wrong for some reason. As you know (and can see on my videos), the birds don’t always show up deceased. Quickly taking care of that is only fair to the animals we pursue.

8.5 lead, steel or bismuth would absolutely be too small. TSS is about 60% more dense than lead and 8.5 shot TSS has the equivalent penetration of #2 lead. Which is why commercially produced TSS sells for around $10 per shell, in some instances.