Pheasant Hunting Euphoria with a Benelli Montefeltro

Walking the outer edge of the cornfield with a slight wind proved ideal as pheasants flushed skyward, climbing in elevation before catching the breeze. With my Benelli Montefeltro in hand, the excitement was immediate—roosters burst from cover, shots rang out, and feathers filled the air. Pheasant hunting at Highpoint Hunting Lodge in South Dakota, our crew experienced an unforgettable adventure fueled by expert dog work, perfect shooting conditions, and non-stop action. Whether it’s the thrill of a fast-flying bird or the performance of a finely tuned shotgun, this hunt was one to remember. The dogs ran in circles a short distance ahead, and I bristled with anticipation. A cackling rooster broke from the cover but did not get far before a load of #6 shot sent it tumbling. At the report of my shotgun, two more roosters tried to flee 100 yards farther up the field, but my buddy Chad Carmen, who was blocking, doubled as they passed overhead. Pheasants burst from cover to my left, and another hunting partner created a shower of colorful feathers with a well-placed shot. The excitement was intense, overwhelming, and, most of all, highly addictive.

We had started shortly after daybreak when hunters in our group lined up along a strip of standing corn 150 yards wide and the length of a football field. Snow had drifted into the stalks, and climbing over the icy reminder of winter provided enough elevation to see roosters starting to run ahead of us. We had extreme dog power with six noses to track down colorful feathers and force them into flight. My heart raced with anticipation as we started the push. Crowing roosters broke far in front, but blockers on the far end emptied their shotguns to put the first birds in the bag.
The fickle, cold wind made it hard to decide if it was late winter or early spring. However, the action was hot enough to make everyone forget about minor discomforts. Being on a steady and deliberate march also helped warm blood flow to extremities. We were hunting with Brad and Jeri Donald and crew at Highpoint Hunting Lodge in Pierre, South Dakota. The state sells licenses for Shooting Preserve opportunities that run into late spring. Highpoint manages large fields for pheasant production and hunting. Long strips of standing corn have standing milo on the outer edges, with a short break in cover before the next strip of cover starts. A big crew can spend an entire day working the strips of cover and flushing hundreds of pheasants.

I was surprised when I asked Brad if they had planted birds earlier that day. He chuckled and said, “No, we augment the population a bit at the start of the season in September, but the birds take care of themselves.”
Each strip of cover proved different, and the birds hunted through the fall and winter knew the game. The wiliest birds flew high and fast to the outer reaches of the field. It was always a gamble, as blockers could intercept the flight, but shooters needed accuracy with challenging shot opportunities. The best excitement came at the end of a push, when birds held tight in the cover, not wanting to flush. Extreme care was taken, and there were constant reminders to only shoot at upward-moving birds to avoid accidents with other shooters. Some birds did escape unharmed due to low flight patterns, but it wasn’t uncommon to see a dozen birds flush in the final minute of a push. Everyone was afforded shooting opportunities, and it was a great ending to fire up conservations as we regrouped, watered dogs, and got back on the bus to drive around the field to start the next strip of cover. Getting back on the bus meant time to restock my ALPS Upland shooting vest with shotshells. I filled my right hip pocket with Fiocchi Golden Pheasant in nickel-plated #6 loads and my left pocket with B&P (Baschieri-Pellagri) in #4 to #6 shot sizes.

Upland Hunters Dream

After pushing three rows of cover, we had nearly 80 roosters in the bird carriage on the bus’ bumper. It was hard to believe we had an entire afternoon of hunting left. I had never experienced the preserve hunts before, but I will dream about it until the next opportunity. It is a wing-shooter’s dream with plenty of action, fast-flying birds, and well-trained dogs to help bring it all together.
As the afternoon activities began, my boots felt increasingly heavy. Nonetheless, the birds captivated me, making each step and the thrill of anticipating the next flush vibrant. Our group consisted of ten hunters, and we dispersed throughout the cover, taking turns blocking each area being pushed from the sides and the end. Dog handlers communicated to everyone when a point or bird was being pursued. The Highpoint Lodge is spectacular, and Jeri’s meals are worth a trip alone. Brad wet-ages steaks for clients, and the meal was the crescendo at the end of a perfect day. In the evening, visiting and talking with the guides fueled the fire to plan another trip to fish for walleye and bow hunt for white-tailed deer and mule deer. The best part about the trip was a full second day of action after a short sleep.

Many Different Dogs were Chasing Birds

The assortment of dogs was interesting, with retrieving labradors, pointing labs, and other pointing dogs. They hunted together often and honored each other’s roles to put more birds on the wing. It was often a race to see who got to retrieve, but the competition after the shot meant we never lost time looking for winged roosters.
It was my first hunt with a Benelli Montefeltro, which had a redesign in 2023 to improve ergonomics. It did not take long to fall in love with the shotgun, and it helped me feel like I was shooting better than ever. We finished our hunt late in the afternoon with an incredible number of birds headed for the cleaning shack to be prepared for transport home.

Day two was colder and windy. The bus left the lodge early, and we were pushing cover shortly after arriving at the field camp. It felt more like a late-season pheasant hunt and made me feel like the fall hunting season was in full swing. We pushed more corn and milo, harvesting some incredible roosters. The shooting was more challenging than on day one. However, with the warm-up the day before, the roosters continued to hit the ground with regularity. Part of our crew had to leave early, so we shifted to smaller cover pieces. The birds flushed wild and used the wind to their advantage. A highlight was shooting a leucistic bird that was abnormally white in the afternoon.
We pushed cover along a large, natural wetland, and the birds acted like wild pheasants anywhere, often flushing hundreds of yards ahead of us. A big rooster broke from cover and cackled during its entire flight, but as it passed by at 50 yards, I dumped it clean with a well-placed, hard-hitting pattern from a swinging shotgun. Memorable situations like a hard-flying rooster and clean kill stick with you long after the hunt ends.
In two short days, we shot well over 300 pheasants. It seems like a considerable number, but when we divided the birds to head home, we had about two dozen each. They were all professionally cleaned and packaged airtight with proper identification. We ate some of Jeri’s hors d’oeuvres made from the flavorful birds, and I hoped to duplicate some of the recipes at home. I hope to return to South Dakota to revisit the friends I made, chase more pheasants and prairie chicken, and perhaps wet a line in the Missouri River for some tasty walleye. Opportunities like this don’t happen often, but they remind you to give thanks and enjoy every day as though it were your last.

Fiocchi Golden Pheasant Shotgun Loads (click to purchase here)

When the moment counts, trust Fiocchi Golden Pheasant to deliver consistent patterns and powerful knockdown performance on upland birds. Engineered for reliable accuracy, this premium shotshell performs flawlessly across various chokes and hunting scenarios—whether flushing close-range roosters or taking long shots on wary prairie chickens.

The shot is a nickel-plated lead with increased density and penetration for maximum long-range impact. The innovative wad design ensures tight, consistent patterns to maximize your success on every flush. The Golden Pheasant proved to have versatile performance that patterned well with multiple upland chokes, adapting to birds flying in any direction and under changing hunting conditions. At 1,350 fps, it delivers the speed needed to connect with fast-flying birds. Check out the complete product lineup at fiocchiusa.com, no matter what shooting discipline you enjoy.

Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) Heavy Pheasant Shotshells (click to purchase here)

Though widely respected in the competitive clay target world, Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) is gaining recognition among hunters for its premium-quality shotshells. B&P Heavy Pheasant loads bring serious firepower to the upland hunting scene, delivering high-velocity performance while incorporating innovative technology to manage recoil.

At the core of these shells is the Gordon System, a proprietary shock-absorbing base wad that reduces felt recoil, making even the heaviest loads more manageable. The system is vital given the impressive payloads these shells deliver. The 12-gauge, 2¾-inch load carries 1⅜ ounces of nickel-plated shot at an incredible 1,450 fps. A 1¼-ounce load is available at 1,500 fps for those seeking even more speed, ensuring a tight, hard-hitting pattern on fast-flying birds.
There is a 3-inch option that includes a 1⅝-ounce load at 1,400 fps, which provides dense, lethal patterns for extended-range shots. The heaviest offering is a 3-inch, 1⅞-ounce load at 1,300. Shot sizes 4, 5, and 6 are available across all configurations, giving hunters flexibility based on their quarry and hunting conditions. B&P Heavy Pheasant loads combine innovative recoil management and high-performance ballistics, making them an excellent choice for hunters who demand power and precision. Learn more at baschieri-pellagriusa.com.

Benelli Montefeltro – the Ultimate Pheasant Hunting Shotgun

The Benelli Montefeltro offers intuitive operation, improved ergonomics, and the same reliable performance that has made it a favorite among hunters. Loading the Montefeltro is effortless, thanks to a relaxed magazine spring and shell latch for smooth shell insertion and a milled-out loading port that makes topping off the tube seamless.
One of the most significant improvements is the Easy Locking Bolt, which ensures the shotgun fires when the trigger is engaged. Whether in a fast-paced hunt or wearing thick gloves, you can trust the Montefeltro to cycle and fire without fail.

Purchase a Benelli Montefeltro at Guns.com (here)

The shotgun is user-friendly, with a large bolt handle and a slim, bar-shaped bolt release button. The round and raised safety button is intuitive to find and engage. The thicker, easily accessible bolt lock button is easy to find and press. There are sling swivel studs and a softer recoil pad, which made a difference with two solid days of pounding at roosters.
I had not used a Montefeltro before, but the sleek receiver, pistol grip, and forend made it easy to hold, shoulder, swing, and shoot accurately. The ergonomics were noticeable with a sleek receiver, “Air Touch” grip, forend, and grip panels that replaced traditional checkering for a secure hold. The balanced weight was most notable and helped deliver full patterns of shot where the shotgun was pointed. I used a 12-gauge version with a 26-inch barrel weighing 6 lbs. 13 oz., balancing handling and lots of shooting. Benelli cryogenically treats barrels and choke tubes to increase pattern density. The Montefeltro comes with a shim kit to adjust the length of pull.
The Montefeltro comes in 3-inch, 12- and 20-gauge models with 24-, 26-, and 28-inch barrels. There are compact 12- and 20-gauge models with a 12½-inch LOP and 24-inch barrels.

5.11 Tactical Cepheus Softshell Pant (click to purchase from Amazon)

The Cepheus Softshell Pant was perfect for walking up pheasants for hours. They are built for adventure with a polyester/elastane double-weave construction that provides durability and flexibility, allowing them to withstand rugged terrain and habitats while keeping you comfortable. A DWR coating repels the elements, keeping you dry in unpredictable conditions. The Cepheus offers ample storage for essential gear with eight strategically placed pockets. Reinforced hand pockets accommodate knives, while zippered back and cargo pockets secure valuables. Utility drop pockets add extra convenience, keeping frequently used items within easy reach. Designed for movement, the pant features articulated knees for unrestricted mobility, and the adjustable leg openings with webbing and snap closures allow for a customized fit. An inner front-leg shoelace hook keeps the pants securely in place, preventing debris from entering your boots. Reinforced belt loops made from the same material, including a “V” webbing center back belt loop, provide extra support for carrying additional gear.
With performance-driven details and a sleek, functional design, the Cepheus Softshell Pant is the perfect companion for any outdoor adventure.