Shooting tower pheasants—birds released from height to simulate very high, curling gamebirds—requires a mix of discipline, correct gun mount, and precise timing. Here’s a clear, field-proven approach used on serious tower shoots in the UK and increasingly in the U.S.

Set Up Correctly

• Stand slightly open, feet shoulder-width apart
• Front foot pointed where you expect to shoot
• Weight slightly forward, knees soft
• Gun Ready Position
• Butt just off the shoulder pocket, muzzle up
• Hands relaxed—no death grip
• Eyes up and scanning, not glued to the bead

Read the Bird

• Tower pheasants:
• Start very fast and high
• Slow as they apex
• Then curl, stall, or drop steeply
• Let the bird:
• Clear the tower
• Show its line
• Begin to settle

Pick a Kill Zone

• Choose one spot in the sky where you’ll shoot:
• After the bird has committed to a line
• Before it starts tumbling or dropping straight down
• This prevents:
• Chasing the bird
• Over-swinging
• Shooting behind

The Mount and Swing

• Mount smoothly—don’t snatch
• Bring the gun to your face first, then shoulder
• Keep your head down on the stock
• Swing through the bird
• Start below and behind
• Match speed
• Accelerate through the beak
• Pull the trigger while still swinging
• Stopping the gun = missed bird.

Lead: Less Than You Think

• Because tower pheasants:
• Are often slowing
• May be dropping vertically
• Typical lead:
• 12–24 inches on a crossing bird
• Very little lead on straight-down or curling birds—often just cover the bird and pull through
• Trust your eyes, not the bead.

Most of all, however, shoot safe. Always be aware of the shooters, dogs and bystanders around you.

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