The exception would be the hunter disciplined enough to limit his or her shots at pheasants to 30 yards. Such hunters, Roster cautions, are rare. That's true enough, but a heavy 12-guage turkey gun would hardly be the best choice for the quick shots required when hunting other birds. I use a 28-guage on ruffed grouse and have crippled very few birds. Because most shots at ruffed grouse and woodcock are at close range and in heavy cover, a fast-swinging 20 or 28 is ideal.
Prairie grouse are another story.
Sharptail grouse and prairie chickens are larger birds and shots are often well beyond 35 yards. The big, bulky sage grouse is even tougher to stop. That means lethal shots require loads almost as heavy as those necessary for pheasants. The size, strength and endurance of the shooter are other considerations. Youngsters, smaller women and older men may not be comfortable toting a bulky 12-guage on long walks through heavy cover.