TOWER/EUROPEAN SHOOTS

What is a European Shoot?
Also known as a tower shoot, European Shoots take place in our North and South Dakota hunting fields. This idea comes from the English style of pheasant hunting where they would place shooters at the bottom of a big hill or cliff. “Bush beaters” and dogs would work the fields at the top of the hills and flush the pheasants over the side. Shooters at the bottom would then take high passing shots from one position. This is where the term “driven shooting” comes from, because the birds were “driven” to the shooters. Typical shoots will consist of high “driven” birds, crossing shots and even going away.

To mimic this style of hunting, we placed a tower/barn in the middle of our North and South Dakota hunting fields. Pheasants, pigeons and even starlings are released from this position. Around the tower/barn, roughly 100 yards, are 14-17 shooting stations that can accommodate two shooters per station. The stations completely surround the tower/barn so there is great shooting from all positions. After each release (# of birds vary at each event), participants will rotate to the next station. The birds, pheasants especially, will typically fly with the wind. This allows everyone a chance to be in the “best spot” at least once during the event. Each participant can expect to shoot anywhere from three to five boxes of shells. Talk about fast pace action. That is an unbelievable 75 to 150 shots in a 3 hour time period.

The European Shoot is  great for companies, families, friends or even those who can not walk the fields like they used to. Dog and handlers are provided for these events so all you have to worry about is shooting. Depending on weather, transportation is usually provided to and from the field as well. Our European Shoots can accommodate anywhere from 10 - 40 people at one time and the number of birds released only depends on the imagination. The camaraderie between participants is amazing. With diving pheasants, circling pigeons and non stop shooting, how could you not have fun! If you have never been a part of one of these, you owe it to yourself to give it a go. You won’t regret it. Either sign up for one put on by Milford Hills or let us put one together for your company or group.

2010/2011 Milford Hills Hunt Club Tower Shoots
Date: To Be Determined

Times Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. Safety Meeting, Assignment of Shooting Positions
9:30 a.m. European Shoot Begins

For every person that signs up 10 pheasants and 5 pigeons will be added to the release.

11:30 a.m. Return to Club House
12:00 p.m. Lunch Buffet ( included in price)

Pricing: $180.00 Members / $200.00 Non Members
Price includes: birds, dog and handlers, bird pickup, bird cleaning, and lunch buffet.

Tower Shoot Rules/Regulations
- 17 Stations located around the field
- Minimum of ten people required
- Maximum of two people per station
- Shooters will rotate after every release of ten pheasants and five pigeons
- ALL shooters will be taken to the fields by hay wagon, no vehicles allowed in the field
- Milford Hills will provide dogs and handlers
- No dogs, besides the ones provided by Milford Hills will be allowed in the field
- Shoot will start at 9:00 a.m. Promptly
- Each individual must stay inside their designated shooting blind
- No Shot size larger than 2 3/4" 4's . No 3" Shells
- No shooting low birds. No exceptions
- If you violate any safety rules, you will be asked to leave the grounds without a refund
- All birds will be divided evenly at the end of the hunt
- Before the hunt warm up shooting available for an additional fee
- Free coffee will be set up in the Club house before the hunt
- Lunch is included in the cost of the shoot.
- Milford Hills has the right to alter this format.