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.