What choke are you running for prairie birds?

[pointblank]

I am heading out for some prairie bird hunting soon and trying to dial in my setup. What chokes do you all use? I'm bouncing between improved cylinder and modified, it feels like these birds flush way differently than what I'm used to back home

 

[Blahd]

For those sharp-tailed grouse and pheasants out here, I usually start with a Modified choke. They hold pretty tight at first, but once they flush, they move. If the cover is super dense, I might drop down to Improved Cylinder, but Modified gives you that good reach for the second bird

 

[Wind River]

Most of my bird hunting is for pheasants west of Riverton. These are largely penned birds stocked by G&F but they seem to have taken hold in the area so we do have some “wild” birds. These “stockers” often do not flush until you nearly step on them so I use IC. Otherwise, for chukars, sage hens, I’ll use a full choke. When the doves are plentiful I’ll use IC or mod.

 

[Rick Bishop]

LM or M early season or over dogs. For late seaason when birds are more jumpy IM or even a standard Full. I use IM most of the time as I do not hunt over a dog