What Is the European Pheasant Shooting Program at Show Me Birds?

Updated

Show Me Birds Pheasant Hunting describes its European Pheasant Shooting program as a high-volume driven shoot in which hunters "shoot at hundreds of pheasants," and presents it as the only program of its kind in the USA. The owner, Kim Shira, traveled to Spain to learn how to organize a European shoot. It is offered as a separate option from the resort's traditional guided field hunts, and the site directs readers to a dedicated page for pricing and information on each.

What the program involves

Based on the site's description, the European program is built around volume and spectacle rather than the walk-up format of a field hunt:

  • Many birds, released for the guns. The site's central claim is that hunters will shoot at hundreds of pheasants during a European-style event.
  • A format learned in Spain. The owner studied how European shoots are organized and brought that structure to the Kansas property.
  • A claimed one-of-a-kind offering. Show Me Birds says others have copied the program, but that there is "only one shooting program like this in the USA."

The site does not publish the detailed mechanics of a European day (number of drives, stand positions, bag limits, or group size) on the page summarized here. Those specifics sit behind the "Pricing & Information" link for European shooting, so treat the points above as the program's positioning rather than a full itinerary.

How it differs from the traditional field hunts

The two offerings serve different expectations, and the site frames the choice explicitly.

Dimension Traditional Field Hunts European Pheasant Shooting
Style Guided walk-up hunting over pointing dogs Driven-style shoot with very large numbers of birds
Bird volume "Plenty of birds," but not quantified as hundreds Hundreds of pheasants
Origin of format Standard Kansas farm hunting Organized after study in Spain
Best for Hunters who want dog work and turn-taking with friends Groups wanting a high-volume, event-style shoot

The traditional hunt is described as a guided experience where staff release trained pointing dogs and hunters take turns shooting. The European program is positioned as the bigger, more theatrical alternative.

Practical points to check before booking

The site's own guidance is to use the separate pricing and information pages for field hunts and European shoots, and to email [email protected] if you need hunt dates sent to you. Before committing, confirm:

  • Price per hunter and what it covers for the European program specifically, since the site separates this from field hunt pricing.
  • Available dates — the site asks hunters to email for the current hunt calendar rather than listing dates on the page.
  • Ammunition — the site notes it has shotgun shells for hunters, but confirm availability and cost for your group size.
  • Group size and event suitability — the navigation includes "Company Events," suggesting the property hosts corporate groups; ask whether the European format is booked privately or shared.

Who it suits

Choose the European program if your group wants a large-volume, occasion-style shoot and is comfortable confirming details and pricing directly with the resort. Choose a traditional field hunt if watching pointing dogs work and taking turns with friends matters more than sheer bird numbers. Either way, start with the relevant pricing page and an email to the address above for dates.