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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