what I find utterly bizzare is the notion Pheasants are such dumb birds they are no sport for an air rifle, yet, its sporting to blast them with a shotgun??
so if you come accross a pheasant on the ground when carrying your shotgun what do you do, shout and wave your arms until it takes off then blast i?
or,
give it a good talking too about putting on a right and proper sporting show so you can blast it with a clear concience?
or
do you blast it stick it in the bag and wander off looking for something else to blast!

just wondering because i can pretty much guess which option would be taken 99% of the time!

sporting? poppycock, if you want sport play football!