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Phil Bourjaily

Which shotgun is best… and when… for pheasants?

Featured, Featured, Features, Gear & Gadgets, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, National Hunting, Wisconsin /

So you were walking the aisles of the recent Pheasant Fest event and you couldn’t help yourself. You asked a fellow upland bird hunter: What’s the best ring-necked pheasant hunting gun?
In my opinion, the classic pheasant gun is a 12- or 16-gauge repeater, chosen because ringneck pheasants are tough, and they are often found in bunches. When the air is full of cackling roosters, as it was back in the day, and still is in some places, you want four or five hard-hitting shells at your fingertips.

Which shotgun is best… and when… for pheasants? Read More »

Any reason to own a 10-gauge for waterfowl anymore, or are they simply overkill?

1 Comment / Discussions, Featured, Features, Home Page News, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, National Hunting, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin /

With the trend in waterfowl guns moving toward the small bores, it’s fair to ask if there’s any reason for anyone to shoot a 10-gauge anymore.
Browning recently discontinued the last two production 10-gauges in its BPS and Gold 10, a sign that the majority of waterfowlers are ready to move on from our biggest legal bore. Yet, the 10-gauge hangs on among a small niche following.

Any reason to own a 10-gauge for waterfowl anymore, or are they simply overkill? Read More »

Understanding these four shotgun myths can make you a better shooter

Featured, Featured, Featured, Features, Gear & Gadgets, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, National Hunting, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin /

You rarely, if ever, see shotgun pellets in the air. You only know if you hit the target or missed. Shooting patterns at paper helps you understand what’s going on, but it’s still a 2-D snapshot of a 3-D phenomenon.
There is still a lot of mystery to every hit or miss. So, we come up with explanations as to what happens when they miss. Some are true, some aren’t. Those that aren’t become myths and urban legends. Believing them does not help your shooting.

Understanding these four shotgun myths can make you a better shooter Read More »

Choosing the right choke for your shotgun

Featured, Gear & Gadgets, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, Wisconsin /

In the simplest terms, choke controls the spread of shot out of your gun, more or less the way an adjustable nozzle controls the spray of water in a garden hose. That spray can be wide open or very small.
The right choke makes it easier to hit a target. It provides a broad enough pattern to hit with, while also ensuring you put enough pellets on target for a solid break or clean kill. Taking time to pick the choke for the wingshooting chore at hand is well worth the effort.

Choosing the right choke for your shotgun Read More »

New ammo makes the 28 gauge shotgun more than a grouse, quail and dove gun

Featured, Features, Gear & Gadgets, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting /

Last year, I turkey hunted with a 28 gauge. I shot a bunch of doves, a pheasant or two, a few ducks, and a pair of Canada geese with 28s as well.
The 28 is having a moment right now, and its popularity is only going to grow as more of the new 3-inch, 28-gauge guns become available, and as more loads are introduced for it.

New ammo makes the 28 gauge shotgun more than a grouse, quail and dove gun Read More »

One smoothbore to rule them all: Five gun writers reveal their favorite shotgun

Featured, Featured, Featured, Featured, Featured, Featured, Featured, Featured, Features, Gear & Gadgets, Home Page News, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, National Hunting, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin /

One of the best shots I’ve ever met uses one shotgun for everything. He does all his upland and waterfowl hunting with an old semi-auto, and it’s taken him to multiple berths on the all-state sporting clays team, too.
Not only does he own just the one gun, he neglects it almost criminally. One year he left it out by the side of his barn and didn’t find it until the snow melted in the spring. Clearly, you can do more than merely get by with a single shotgun, if you choose the right one. Recently I asked four gun writers what their choice would be if they were limited to one gun.

One smoothbore to rule them all: Five gun writers reveal their favorite shotgun Read More »

Behind the Scenes: Phil Borsdorf’s new role with Illinois DNR includes maintaining hunter heritage

Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, News /

Illinois-native Phil Borsdorf recently returned to DNR to serve as the Hunter Heritage Program manager. Borsdorf previously worked for DNR as an associate wildlife biologist and district natural heritage biologist, where his efforts were focused on wildlife habitat and restoration. In his new role, he is working toward increasing public engagement in hunting and conservation.

Behind the Scenes: Phil Borsdorf’s new role with Illinois DNR includes maintaining hunter heritage Read More »

How to tame your shotgunning kick factor

Featured, Featured, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Hunting, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, National Hunting, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin /

Shotguns kick. Some kick more, some kick less, but almost any shotgun and load capable of making a clean kill hits the shooter, too. Too much recoil corrodes good shooting, building bad habits like head-lifting and flinching.
Choosing ammo wisely, holding the gun properly and using a gun that fits and minimizes felt recoil can make you a better shooter.

How to tame your shotgunning kick factor Read More »

Smaller shotguns now packing a big punch for wild turkeys

Featured, Features, Home Page News, Hunting, Minnesota, National Hunting /

Thanks to new loads that pack a serious punch, the .410 shotgun has become a legitimate, lightweight firearm for chasing North Country gobblers.
You’ll get less of the weight and none of the recoil of a 12-gauge gun. If you’re willing to spend the money for TSS loads, you’ll still have a gun that can kill turkeys to 40 yards.

Smaller shotguns now packing a big punch for wild turkeys Read More »

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