1 62 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



ON SHOOTING PHEASANTS IN A SPORTING MANNER 



The description of shot a pheasant should be made 

 to offer is, if possible, always a high one, whether the 

 bird flies straight overhead or passes to one side of 

 the shooter. If you cannot force your pheasants to 

 fly high, you can, anyhow, make them fly fast over 

 the guns, by placing the latter well back from the 

 spot at which the birds are likely to rise. 



The shot a pheasant should not offer is a low 

 approaching one, or a low side one, or, above all, a 

 shot at its tail as it flies from the shooter. The latter 

 shot, fortunately, seldom occurs in covert shooting, 

 but is rather the monopoly of the hedge-popper, and 

 is the most unsporting manner in which a pheasant 

 can be killed. 



A pheasant should fly to the gun fair and straight, 

 and as high (provided it is within range) as it can be 

 sent over. If the aim be true, its head and neck will 

 then receive the centre pellets of the charge of shot ; 

 and, though a high bird may be struck too far back 

 and not be killed, and perhaps lose a few tail 

 feathers, it is often none the worse, as its advan- 

 cing flight presses its plumage so tight and hard to 

 the skin. 



On the other hand, if a pheasant is hit behind 

 as when flying straight from the shooter then its 

 head and neck are hidden from view, the hinder parts 



