Hunt Pheasants

Hunting pheasants is both fun and great exercise. It provides an opportunity to get outdoors, socialize with fellow hunters, and there is nothing like the thrill of the chase. Pheasants were first brought to the U.S. in the mid-18th century, but really only began to thrive in the 1880s. They have since become one of the most popular game birds and are still hunted in the UK and elsewhere that they breed.

Steps

Getting Ready to Hunt

1. Learn to recognize pheasants. Males' plumage is copper and gold and they have red faces and long tails. Females are brown and harder to spot. They are the size of large chickens.
   • It is often illegal to hunt females.
   • Pheasants have very good hearing and eyesight.
2. Review your location's hunting regulations. Depending on where you live, you will be subject to various regulations and licensing requirements.
   • You may need to tag and record your hunts.
   • You may be required to wear orange.
   • Some locations require hunting education.
   • Be aware of your locality’s rules regarding age, as well as load and firearms.
3. Find a good bird dog. While hunting pheasant without a dog is possible, it will be much easier with a dog to track and locate birds for you.
   • Labradors are good at tracking and flushing pheasant out of heavy cover. They are popular options.
   • Pointers are good for finding birds in light cover and notifying owners.
4. Decide on a gun. There are a variety of options, and you will want to keep in mind not only your target, but long hours of walking and carrying the gun.
   • Stick with a gun that weighs less than 8 pounds.
   • A 12-gauge shotgun is always popular for hunting pheasants, although 16- or 20-gauge are possibilities.
   • Double-action shotguns are most common, although some hunters prefer semi-automatics.
   • Lead shot is often banned on public lands, so you’ll need steel. Pheasant hunting requires a heavy shot, like size 4.
5. Be sure to have good all-weather boots, and dress in layers. It's likely to be wet and cold, and you'll be doing a lot of walking on uneven terrain.

Knowing When and Where to Hunt

1. Check your local guidelines for the pheasant hunting season start and end dates. It’s usually in the late fall through the early winter, but the specific dates can change based on where you live.
   • The best pheasant hunting in the U.S. is in the Midwest and Plains states like Iowa or South Dakota, although pheasants can be found in other parts of the country.
2. Review a list of public hunting grounds and availability. You can't just hunt anywhere.
   • Public grounds often provide good hunting during cold weather or later in the season, but you will be competing with many other hunters, as well as their car doors and noisy friends possibly scaring off the birds.
   • Public grounds can be more challenging, and more dangerous since there will be less control over who is there and what they are doing.
   • Arrive early, and try to find less popular spots.
3. Hunt right after the first cold spell of the season, or after rain. Dogs can smell better in cold, wet environments. It’s also easier to track pheasants in mud and snow.
4. Focus on hunting in the early morning and twilight hours. The birds are out looking for food in lighter cover at those times and are more easily located.
5. Hunt near water sources, both natural and man-made, particularly if you are hunting early in the season.
   • If the weather has been dry, the birds will gather near water.
6. Consider private hunting clubs. They offer several benefits, including guides.
   • They often begin earlier than hunting season on public lands, so you can practice with your dog. This is particularly useful for young dogs who need more training.
   • You will have the opportunity to get comfortable with your gun, and you can practice shooting clay pigeons, which requires shooting ahead of your target.
   • Clubs offer a variety of cover to experience.
   • Clubs release the birds throughout the day and you can request varying degrees of difficulty.

Hunting Pheasant

1. Hunt solo if you plan to cover small patches like field edges. Your dog will be especially helpful you are alone, so be sure to hunt into the wind.
   • Drive around a strip of cover and position downwind.
   • Move toward an open area or an obstruction to slow the birds.
   • Rises and ravines are also good positions because you have cover, and birds are obstructed.
2. You'll need to hunt in a group for large areas like cornfields or cattail marshes.
   • Groups can cover much more ground.
   • The social aspect of group hunting is an attraction for many hunters.
3. Find pheasant by walking in a zigzag or “S” pattern to ensure that you cover a lot of ground. Be meticulous. If you are in a group, coordinate your patterns.
   • Pause frequently to confuse the birds and make them nervous.
   • Be very quiet at all times. Use hand signals to other hunters rather than shouting to each other. From the time you arrive on the grounds, to the moment you leave, be very quiet.
   • Be patient.
4. Keep your dog nearby. When your dog stops and points or quivers, get close to him quickly and quietly.
   • If you a using a flushing dog, such as a Lab, the dog will flush out the rooster.
   • A pointing dog, such as German Short-haired Pointers, will point to the bird, allowing you to do the flushing.
5. Look for pheasant tracks, or listen for crowing.
   • Pheasants have three toes pointing forward, with the middle often being longer.
   • Tracks are more easily visible in mud or snow.
   • Pheasants like corn, so look for corn patches. They are attracted to the green and shade.
   • Pheasants also like thick cattails and marshy areas.
6. Aim ahead of the bird, in the direction of flight. Make your shot only after the bird is above human height. You will have about a two second opportunity, so you need to be very quick.
   • If you hit the bird and killed it, good job! Most dogs will retrieve the bird for you, or you can get it yourself.
   • Dress and cool the meat as soon as possible to avoid spoilage.
   • If you did not hit the bird, just try again next time!

Staying Safe While Hunting

1. Make sure your gun is clean. A dirty gun could misfire or malfunction.
2. Keep your gun's safety on until you are ready to shoot.
   • Always be aware of where your muzzle is pointing.
   • Disengage the safety as you approach the point.
3. Do not put your finger on the trigger until after you have pulled the gun up and are aiming ahead of your bird. Your reaction time will improve with practice. Don't risk unintentionally firing.
   • Know what you are pointing at, but also what is behind it.
4. Wear bright colors, like orange, to make yourself visible to other hunters. You may not be required by your state, but wearing bright colors could save your life.
5. When more than one person is hunting, be sure to walk abreast to prevent shooting each other. If everyone walks shoulder-to-shoulder, there is much less of a chance of accidentally firing on each other.
6. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface, such as a bird on the ground. Birdshot can spray out, and could hit a dog or person.
   • Do not aim at water.
7. Do not consume alcohol while hunting or handling guns. Drugs or alcohol will impair your judgment and reaction time.
8. Minors should always be accompanied by responsible adults. Hunting is a cherished hobby for many families. But aware of your state's age restrictions before setting out.
   • Consider weather conditions when taking a child hunting.
   • Always emphasize safety when teaching a child to hunt.
9. Hunt only with a legal firearm, during season, on land that you may legally hunt on.
   • Choose your location carefully. Get permission beforehand if necessary.

Tips

• Bring water and some food for a long day in the brush.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Hunt Squirrels
• Hunt Rabbit
• Train Your Dog to Hunt
• Dry a Snakeskin
• Catch a Wild Rabbit
• Shoot a Deer
• Hunt Rabbits With an Air Rifle
• Go Deer Hunting
• Make a Snare Trap
• Clean a Squirrel

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• Hunt Rabbits With an Air Rifle
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