Shooting Slump!! South Dakota Pheasant Hunting 2022 Public Land

After shooting well for the first half of the season, my aim has taken a bit of hit on the last couple outings. Still, I hope you enjoy the dogwork and the couple of birds I put in the vest on this video.

[@leecampbell-bi7bp]

I judge all other pheasant hunting videos against the quality of yours. You can almost hear the gears turning in Sage's head as she's thinking. Why did you give up on the SX3? Keep up the videos, misses an all!

[@jcwoutdoors]

I'm very humbled by your comment, Lee. I liked the SX3, but after a couple years, had performance issues. I don't think I was getting the gas ports cleaned out correctly or well enough. I'd had my eye on the Franchi Affinity for a while and everything just kind of came together for a new gun. Thanks again and I'll keep that GoPro rolling!

[@raybishop3176]

On your jam, try using synthetic lube on the bolt rails, oil can get gummy in the temps you see. Probably telling you something you already know but better to be sure. On the missing, of course you're the only bird hunter who misses 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jcwoutdoors]

Man, on those days when I keep missing, I FEEL like the only guy who can't hit a bird, lol. Good advice on the lubrication. I've been meaning to get that done and will make it a priority this evening. Thanks!

[@NsnsisshMkkhzgsy]

Davis Eric Williams Michael Perez James

[@tommccormick3890]

Great hunts! That is real hunting with wild birds. Enjoyed all the birds and dog work. We all miss.

[@Buasop]

Shoot some clays and get your confidence back. Shoot out of your slump on the range.

[@Official_cervantes]

Good video man keep the videos coming I really enjoy them!

[@jcwoutdoors]

Much appreciated!

[@Jackson_fish_Hunt]

I went 2/2 on youth season and have now fallen apart. Are you using different shells?

[@jcwoutdoors]

No, I've been shooting BOSS all season.

[@Jackson_fish_Hunt]

@@jcwoutdoors oh

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@Jackson_fish_Hunt My ShotKam was acting up, so I didn't get any good footage of the misses, but it's usually little things, like not having the butt of the gun just right in my shoulder, which results in a barrel that isn't level. Sometimes, I'm thinking too much when I need to just relax and shoot. I go through spurts each season when I seem to lose my accuracy, but the only way to fix it is to get out and go after it. I'll usually spend a few minutes at home, pulling the gun to my shoulder a dozen times or more. Then closing my eyes and pulling the gun to my shoulder. Then opening my eyes and checking to see I've got the barrel level. Best of luck on the rest of your season!

[@KingsOutdoorLife]

Come on Lu - If you are in a slump you have to use Hollywood Magic! Edit out all the bad, get lip injections and a butt lift and just tell us you are perfect in every way! You can edit your way out of this slump, I know you can! Just kidding of course. Keep doing what you are doing, we appreciate your efforts and the only guy who doesn't come out of any slump is the one who quit. Sage does not like you missing thuogh!

[@jcwoutdoors]

Hahaha. It has crossed my mind more than once to leave out the unflattering material. But, it is part of the hunt. I'll have to see what the wife says about the cosmetic surgery, lol. No, Sage doesn't appreciate me missing any more than I do!! Thanks for watching!

[@timwagenmanuplandadventure8270]

Great hunt Lucas, not much snow in a few areas I hunt either, birds are in the cats but also in the grass, they got their Air Jordans on lately too in that grass! You shoot very well, slumps come and go, I find when I’m in one I’m thinking about the shot too much rather then just letting it be natural, however, I still have to take that advice from myself because I still fall into it at times! Great video as always!

[@jcwoutdoors]

We hunted some grass yesterday afternoon and holy cow, the pheasants can run like Usain Bolt this time of year!! We got one, but man. It's time for snow and working the cattails, that's for sure. Thanks for watching and the comments, Tim!

[@rickboettcher4334]

Good natural look at pheasant hunting with a good dog in SD We are truly blessed to live where we do Nothing better than a good dog and following in a good pair of boots I love labs for SD. Great pets and versatile for waterfowl and pheasants we are so blessed with here

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@rickboettcher4334 here, here!! Couldn’t agree more. And it seventy two days, we’ll be back at it.

[@lilbrowhydaw]

It wouldn't appear to be that bad of a slump to me. When you miss EVERYTHING for a while; THAT's a slump (or so I'm told). But if, in fact, you ARE in a little slump, it's the pheasant gods work following the world's quickest limit, & you have no control over that. Sorry. In any case, great video once again! Fun to watch you & Sage at least SCARE some roosters.🤣 FWIW, I'm also told your dog doesn't care whether you hit or miss, but I don't buy it. A real pheasant dog cares. I think it's why you or I get so frustrated when it happens. Because we care so deeply about our dogs' emotional health.😜

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thanks, bro. I think you might be correct on all accounts. Mostly how much the dog cares whether or not she gets to wrap her maw around a rooster.

[@rileypontillo8610]

6:12 FART!!! You had me rolling haha

[@jcwoutdoors]

Lol. I've learned to adjust "sh" into shoot and "f" into fart. Part of parenting and keeping it family friendly on KZbin! Thanks for watching!

[@rileypontillo8610]

@@jcwoutdoors I completely understand that. Just wasn't expecting that one haha

[@rileypontillo8610]

@@jcwoutdoors great hunt

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@rileypontillo8610 thanks, man. Much appreciated.

[@leejarombek8351]

Hey Lucas---you have talked about BOSS shells several times on earlier vids---assuming that BOSS isn't doing anything for you monetarily (and if they are that's cool--we all know how the game works and good on ya if they are) I'd appreciate your take on the entire picture, if you've got the time. I'm especially curious if you spent any time with a pattern board and if so, how did that affect your choice of chokes/tubes/shot sizes? Re the shooting slump---based on what I've seen you got absolutely nothing to worry about......

[@jcwoutdoors]

Hey Lee, no sponsorships for me, but I'd gladly take free shells from anyone who would offer!! lol I didn't get the Boss until this fall and did not pattern them. It is certainly on my to do list for this coming spring. Last year, I switched from a Full Choke (Code Black Duck) to the Carlson Cremator Mid Range. I did pattern that with the #2 steel and liked the percentage of pellets I was getting on target. I'll perhaps do a video with the BOSS. Thanks for watching!

[@dennisvandergriff7757]

Part of being human my friend. No worries. I'd suggest Rem Oil for lube. You tube target focused guy tested many oils by placing shotguns in snow. Came Bach to see if would function. Nice job, again. Thank you.

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thanks for the tip on Rem Oil. I used to use that, but recently have been using Lucas Oil. It does pretty well and I had recently cleaned my gun and probably got it too dry. I applied more lubrication and it has functioned perfectly since then. Thanks for watching!!

[@kenandrieling5885]

I watched my short hair track a rooster a couple 100 yd the other day. She finally got him pinned down against the road only for me to miss all 3 shots. I'm sure they could hear me cussing from the farm down the road.

[@jcwoutdoors]

You may have noticed a bit of sound editing following that last one. Lol. But it does seem it happens after the dog does some fantastic work to find the bird.

[@allenericson8038]

I know the feeling….just have to keep shooting. We are hoping for a little snow before we come back out on the 15th….

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thanks, Allen. Best of luck on your upcoming trip and I hope your hunt is white!!

[@stevezerr4539]

Darn you are human and miss a few .You do a heck of a job upland bird hunting .Thank you for all your time shared

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thanks, Steve. I go through slumps from time to time. Just happens.

[@SchaeferSteve]

I really enjoy watching Sage work.

[@jcwoutdoors]

Me too! Thanks for watching.

[@stevenparks1753]

I feel guilty enjoying some one else miss, I have had my share!

[@jcwoutdoors]

Haha. I completely understand!

[@kentsaeger8403]

I to miss some time I sure like how sage works she's a good one

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thank you! Sage is a darn good puppy! :)

[@fidiusjwhoopie]

You are human after all, we all miss some more than others. That's where that shotkam cam help us see why we missed,( behind, in front or just off) Btw where's the shotkam clips of the misses? The one over the ice ,it looked like you were behind him. Also rapid firing is never good Great vid though, love watching sage work

[@jcwoutdoors]

My ShotKam has been acting up a little bit lately, but it is a great resource. Thanks for watching!

[@fidiusjwhoopie]

@@jcwoutdoors mine had trouble with dates/times, they sent me a brand new one, great company

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@fidiusjwhoopie Good to know. I reached out and we'll see what happens!

[@peevxwmlis]

good fc

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thanks!

[@WJA302]

Can you comment on the iced up pothole? I hunted SD last year and I was really afraid to hunt near iced up potholes as I had no idea how thick it was or how deep the water was. I did not want to get the dog out on it. I was just visiting so I had no idea how long it had been beloew freezing.

[@jcwoutdoors]

So, we had a hard cold snap that put 4 to 6” of ice on the smaller waters like that one. Then it got warm and the ice thickness didn’t decline so much as it made the ice mushy. Since then, it’s been real cold again and it’s okay. I wouldn’t walk out there, but I do usually walk on the shoreline to get an idea for the ice quality. If I can walk out 10-15 yards without issue, I’m confident Sage can go further. Most sloughs are shallow, 3-5 feet at most. Sorry, that isn’t the most definitive description of safe ice, but a lot of it comes from being around it.

[@WJA302]

@@jcwoutdoors Thanks, local knowledge is invaluable! I did not want to risk it! Keep the hunts coming!

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@WJA302 will do!!

[@vanggundog]

I'm surprise that your dog went in and out of those barbwired like nothing. One of my dog got cut couple times before they lear...but still he still got cut once in a while. Nice dog you got there!!

[@jcwoutdoors]

She got herself good a couple times when she was younger. Seems to have it figured out now, but I probably jinxed myself by saying that. Thanks for watching!

[@vanggundog]

I'm relly enjoyed watching your videos nd every time she point! I got a yellow female pointing too and its so fun to watch them work!

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@vanggundog Thanks! I’ve never encouraged her to point, but enjoy it when she gets one pinned!

[@vanggundog]

Lst 25 yrs I had been hunted over all kind of pointing dogs and flusher. Now I'm 50 nd got knee injured so got to hunt with Pointing lab. Point is just a plus...

[@jcwoutdoors]

@@vanggundog tough to beat a lab. Sorry about the knee. Hope you can find some relief.

[@noelslater822]

EVERYONE misses man. Just a part of hunting. I'd take a bad day hunting over being at work any day! Just great getting out and making memories. BTW, I love it when Sage makes you run! LOL!

[@jcwoutdoors]

100%. It's always a great day in the field and sometimes the bird gets away. I like when Sage makes me run, too, as it typically means ROOSTER!!

[@markcolangelo4144]

I've been watching your videos for a while now. Nothing wrong with your shooting. We don't alway get a good look. The birds you missed are long-high-speed crossing shots. Sometimes you/we just can't get in front of the bird enough. No gimmies. Another great performance by Sage. I always look forward to your hunts!!

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thank you, Mark. Much appreciated. I think the frustrating thing is having made those shots in the past. But, alas, all I can do is grab the dog and the gun and try again today!

[@pheasantsalab7303]

Sage was great in that cover with that wind. Enjoy her. Pretty sure there are lots of misses in most videos before editing. The length of my shots has increased greatly as well....just another reason to admire and respect a roosters survival drive. Thanks for the video Lucas.

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thanks, Mike. They are a remarkable creature and the hunt for them is unlike anything else. You're very welcome and keep posting your videos, too!

[@billdoms1579]

We have had enough sporadic snow east of you to get them into the cattails but the ice is bad at worst and inconsistent at best. Bummer on that bird that flew low behind the bank. Just bad luck.

[@jcwoutdoors]

I fell through the ice, only about shin deep, but that's enough to get my socks wet! Sketchy ice is the worst. Thanks for watching and I'll get him next time! lol

[@terrymclarty8966]

That’s a really nice dog. She knows what she’s doing and yall hunt well together. That’s great fun. If i was able to hunt pheasants that’s how i would want to do it.

[@jcwoutdoors]

Thank you for the kind words, Terry. What we lack in formal training, we made up for with experience. We certainly enjoy our time together in the field and are able to put a few roosters in the freezer while doing it.

[@benleafblad5485]

Love the vids man. I’m heading out to Pierre on Tuesday and also hoping for just a tad of snow!

[@jcwoutdoors]

It doesn't take much snow to make a big difference. Best of luck on your hunting trip!