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A dozen Guns draw numbers on the steps of a country lodge and then load into hunting cars for the 10-minute drive to the shooting pegs. As they exit the vehicles, they grab their shotguns, shell bags and other accoutrements to carry down the line to their stations. Handlers with panting dogs are waiting behind the pegs. They've driven hours to be here and are as excited as anyone when they hear the command: "Start the drive!"

Several minutes later on they come-big, brassy pheasants surging over the hill with raucous complaint. Some curve off to the side, but most fly straight overhead, their tails like comets. The gunfire erupts, and it's glorious chaos, with pheasants falling and dogs dashing everywhere. The ardent shooter tries to concentrate on the sky in front while at the same time taking in the spectacle of the line and the glorious birds. How can you not look over when a high bird takes shot and seems to fall forever? Driven pheasant shooting is like that: a pageant of people, birds, guns and dogs that seems much too improbable to ever come off. In Britain and Europe they spend a great deal of time and money ensuring that it does. But can it be done well in the States?

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