The Best Shotgun Setups for Every Pheasant Hunting Style

Just like how pheasant hunters have their favorite way to hunt pheasant, there is a good chance each and every hunter has a favorite shotgun manufacturer.

Now, while some hunters have some serious brand loyalty when it comes to their shotgun, the fact of the matter is that when it comes to consistently filling your bag with birds, choosing the right shotgun isn’t just about picking a popular model.

The key to being the best hunter out in the field, beyond shooting skills, is matching your firearm to your particular hunting style. 

So, whether you’re trekking miles across open fields, waiting for birds to be driven in your direction, or simply flushing pheasants without a dog, your setup can make or break your success in the field.

Walk-Up Hunting: The Classic Rooster Chase

To many pheasant hunters, there’s no better way to hunt than in its purest form, walking the fields, following a dog, and flushing birds on the move. 

Credit: urbancow

Walk-up hunting, also known as rough shooting, is the most common pheasant hunting method in the U.S., demanding a hunter with patience and endurance, as well as a shotgun that won’t slow you down.

So, if you’re looking for some advice on hunting gear for beginners, this will likely be the first type of pheasant hunt you go on.

What Makes a Great Walk-Up Shotgun?

When covering several miles of CRP fields, cattail sloughs, and fence lines, you need a shotgun with a strong balance of power and portability. A 20-gauge over/under is a perfect fit for the task, considering it’s light enough for an all-day carry, easy to swing quickly, and can be quite versatile with two different choke options.

Many veteran pheasant hunters will typically prefer a 26- or 28-inch barrel, allowing them to keep the gun fast and responsive, which is especially helpful whenever a bird flushes unexpectedly. 

An improved cylinder or modified choke is also a great option that will give you the best shot spread at the 15 to 30-yard ranges where most birds flush during a walk-up hunt.

Driven Pheasant Shooting: Fast-Flying Birds, High-Stakes Shooting

Another popular pheasant hunting style, known for being a European style of pheasant shooting, is the driven shoot. 

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Old-school driven pheasant shoots are exhilarating, where beaters push pheasants toward a line of waiting hunters, often leading to high, fast-moving shots.

There are also some exciting modern variations of this classic style of hunt, such as the European Driven Tower Shoot. 

One Kansas pheasant hunting outfitter, 10 Gauge Outfitters, offers this amazing style of hunt, where: 

“Hunters will occupy one of 8 stations located in a circle approximately 100 yards from our tower,” the 10 Gauge team explains, and once the signal is given, they begin:

“releasing pheasants at intervals of 10-16 per session” from their 30-foot tower, leading to some fast action shooting at treetop level, meaning the hunters will need a shotgun with a good range, and that makes it easy to fire multiple shots.

Shotgun Requirements for Driven Pheasant Hunts

Unlike walk-up hunting, driven pheasants are shot overhead, meaning hunters will need longer barrels for a smoother, controlled swing. This is where a 12-gauge side-by-side or an over/under with a 30-inch barrel performs the best

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Since birds come in quick succession, a double-barrel shotgun with double triggers is another great option that lets you instantly switch between chokes for varying shot distances, with the only downside being that the hunter is limited to two rapid shots. 

A modified or full choke is often the best choice when it comes to maintaining pattern density at driven shooting distances, around 30-40 yards.

Blocking and Push-Hunts: Be Ready in an Instant

Our next style of pheasant hunting, which is popular for hunting trips in Midwestern states like South Dakota and Nebraska, is called blocked and push-hunts. 

Credit: Aleksandar Georgiev

Commonly used by large hunting parties, one group of hunters breaks off from the rest and works to push the field while others stand at the end, waiting for birds to flush toward them. 

What is the Best Shotgun Setup for Blockers?

As a blocker, you need a shotgun that can handle multiple follow-up shots because pheasants often flush in waves. 

When it comes to choosing the style and gauge of your shotgun, a 12-gauge semi-automatic is by far the most popular choice here, allowing hunters to take three quick shots without needing to cycle a pump or break open a double-barrel.

Most blocking shots happen at mid-to-long range, so a modified or full choke is a safe choice here. A longer barrel (28-30 inches) is also helpful for keeping the swing smooth, giving you a strong advantage on birds flushing fast and further away.

Solo Hunting Without a Dog: Make Every Shot Count

If you’re out in the field hunting alone without the aid of a flushing or pointing dog, you’ll likely be in a position where you need to do all the work yourself. 

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This means anticipating bird movement, adjusting to unpredictable flushes, and taking more challenging shots.

What Works Best for the Lone Pheasant Hunter?

Mobility and reaction time are key here. 

Because of this, the 20-gauge pump-action shotgun is a fantastic all-around choice. A pump shotgun is durable, reliable, and allows hunters to take multiple shots. Paired with a shorter barrel (24-26 inches), this particular style of pump makes it far easier to swing in thick cover.

Since you won’t always get close-range opportunities, a modified choke paired with a #5 or #6 shot gives you the best balance between pattern density and stopping power.

Hunting Over Pointing Dogs: Precision Shooting at Its Best

Now, if you’re lucky enough to hunt behind a well-trained pointing dog, you have the luxury of a controlled shot setup. 

Unlike rough shooting, where birds flush unexpectedly, pointing dogs hold birds in place until you’re in position and ready to take your shot. This gives you the most control over where you’re taking your shot out of any form of pheasant hunting, meaning your choice of shotgun is much more open-ended.

Best Shotgun for Pointing Dog Hunters

As we hinted at, precision matters more than speed here.

Photo Courtesy

This makes a 20-gauge over/under or side-by-side an excellent choice. Since many shots will be inside 25 yards, an improved cylinder choke helps widen the shot pattern for close-range accuracy.

If you prefer having a backup shot for longer birds, an over/under with an improved cylinder in the first barrel and modified in the second gives you some great variability in both scenarios.

Making the Right Choice: The Shotgun That Fits Your Hunt

With all of the specifics behind us, let's get down to the brass tax.

As we mentioned, the best shotgun for your pheasant hunt isn’t about brand names or price tags.

It’s all about finding the right gun for your specific hunting style, so let's break down your four most common scenarios:

• If you’re hiking miles through thick brush, go for a lightweight 20-gauge over/under.
• If you’re taking long shots at driven birds, your best bet is to go for a 12-gauge side-by-side with 30-inch barrels.
• If your style of hunting calls for multiple quick shots, a semi-auto or pump-action shotgun will serve you best.
• If you hunt alone, mobility matters, so choose a shorter-barreled pump action for maneuverability.

By molding your shotgun choice to your particular hunting style, you’ll not only improve your accuracy and reaction time, but we guarantee you’ll be filling your bag with birds on every hunt.