State laws vary on the number of shells allowed in the mag of shotguns and whether or not a plug is required. And the reason for the so often misunderstood rule regarding a plug has to do with the requirement for hunting upland game birds or migratory birds. Generally speaking, when hunting migratory birds the plug is required and allows only 3 rounds ... 1 in the chamber and 2 in the magazine. I can't say whether or not that's true in every state, so check local laws before doing either. My guess in this case is since he was supposedly hunting pheasants, and they are a resident or upland game bird, no plug would be required.
I also think he's trying to unload, but either way if he's a regular and competent outdoors man (hunter) he shouldn't have that much trouble. I'll allow for him having some kind of malfunction, or a gun he's not real familiar with, that we're not aware of and cut him some slack on the question.