Opinions needed: CPW Novice Hunter Program

[KS63]

My name came up on the Waiting List for this class and I need to register by 10pm tonight. It’ll be a really long day with work and a 3+hr evening class. I’ve never hunted for pheasant and don’t have much practical experience with shotguns and thought this may be a good opportunity to learn. What I’m concerned mostly about is the quality of instruction. Could this be similar to my Hunters Ed. which was full of Fudds. I also need an appropriate shotgun for pheasants, which I don’t own. Thanks for your thoughts and here’s a link to the course:

https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/125334

[Bailey Guns]

I'll say upfront I've never hunted pheasant and I've never taken that particular class. So I could be completely off base.

I'm guessing if it's a CPW sponsored class there's a very firm curriculum that's followed by all instructors. Similar to the hunter ed class. I'm guessing you'll have your share of FUDDs.

Having said that, if you're a novice bird hunter, it's probably worth your time. You may know some of the stuff but there's probably lots you can learn from the class and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions from people more knowledgeable than you. I'd take the class.

Some may scoff at my shotgun recommendation but I'd say go with a basic pump 20ga...like an 870 or similar with an appropriate barrel. If you don't like it or don't do it often you'll still have a great, all around utility shotgun that's easy to swap barrels on. And barrels are pretty cheap. If you like it you might want to upgrade to an auto or something a little more specialized for birds. I'm guessing the proper loads will be covered in class.

Take the class, have fun, and let us know how it went.

ETA: There's a nice Winchester 1300 20 ga in the trading post for sale. Got a good length barrel with interchangeable chokes. Great starter gun.

[TheSparkens]

I am an upland and water fowl hunter take the class I have had myself and many trucks peppered from about 70 yards out , Bailey gave great advice in his post.