Pheasants and premier pheasant hunting are synonymous with South Dakota. No other state compares to the success enjoyed by both resident and nonresident pheasant hunters in South Dakota. Hunting in S.D. is as good as it gets because three essential elements for abundant pheasants are present: habitat, habitat and habitat. The GFP is has worked hard to establish habitat on public land and offer incentives to landowners to plant habitat on private land. The first essential element to pheasants is grassy cover. Not just any grass, but dense mixtures of grasses and broad-leaved plants that are left unmowed and ungrazed and South Dakota has abundace of this type of cover. 

 

 

When Pheasant hunting in states the pheasant harvest is limited to cocks only. However, many liscnesed game farms across the nation allow mixed pair harvest of pheasants. We ARE NOT A GAME FARM so you can only harvest cock pheasants. 

 

In addition to the 1000's of private hunting clubs across North America almost every state offers Public hunting areas as well. These puplic hunting areas often provide very good hunting late in the season after cold weather has concentrated the birds in heavy cover.  

 

A wide variety of techniques can be used when hunting pheasants. This is probably one of the reason pheasant hunting appeals to so many people. A lone hunter can usually hunt field edges, fencerows and small weed patches. Many enjoy the solitude and easy pace of this type of hunting. Larger blocks of cover such as standing cornfields, cattail marshes, shelterbelts and large waterways may be difficult for one hunter to cover. Several hunters working together not only find more birds, but sharing the outdoor experience with good friends can be a very important part of the hunt. Larger hunting parties have found that they can bag more birds if they post "blockers" at the far end of the field, particularly if the birds seem prone to running or flushing wild. For many hunters, it just isn't a pheasant hunt unless you have a good bird dog along. A well-trained dog is a tremendous help in locating and retrieving crafty ring-necks. Selecting a good bird dog is again a matter of personal preference. English setters, Brittany spaniels, German shorthair/wirehair pointers and Labrador retrievers seem to be some of the most popular breeds among pheasant hunters.  

 

According to a DNR wildlife research biologist, pheasants follow a schedule as routine as your daily commute to and from work. Understanding the pheasant's daily movements can increase your odds of flushing a rooster. 

 

"Pheasants start their day before sunrise at roost sites, usually in areas of short- to medium-height grass or weeds, where they spend the night." That's the word from Dick Kimmel, research biologist at the DNR Farmland Wildlife Research and Populations Station at Madelia. Kimmel says that at first light, pheasants head for roadsides or similar areas where they can find gravel or grit.  

 

Pheasants usually begin feeding around 8 a.m. When shooting hours begin an hour later, the birds are still feeding, often in grain fields while cautiously making their way toward safe cover. "Look for the edges of picked cornfields," says Kimmel, who regularly hunts southwestern Minnesota with his English setter, Banjo. 

 

By mid-morning, pheasants have left the fields for the densest, thickest cover they can find, such as a standing corn, federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields, brush patches, wetlands, or native grasses. Kimmel says the birds will "hunker down here for the day until late afternoon."  

 

It's next to impossible for small hunting groups of two to three hunters to work large fields of standing corn. Pheasants often run to avoid predators, a response that frustrates dogs and hunters working corn, soybean, and alfalfa fields. Groups of two or three hunters usually have better success working grass fields, field edges, or fencerows. Other likely spots during midday are ditch banks and deep into marshes. Remember: The nastier the weather, the deeper into cover the pheasant will go.  

 

But eventually, pheasants have to eat again. During the late afternoon, the birds move from their loafing spots back to the feeding areas. As in the morning, birds now are easier to spot from a distance and are more accessible to hunters. "That's why the first and last shooting hours are consistently the best times to hunt pheasants," Kimmel adds. 

Once the bird has been bagged, it is essential to take good care of the meat, particularly if the weather is warm. Perhaps the best way is to dress and cool the meat immediately after the hunt. Almost any recipe calling for chicken will also work on pheasants.  

 

During some years, Iowa hunters harvest as much as 80 percent of all the available roosters. In biological terms this is not excessive. Due to their polygamous breeding habits, only a small percentage of the males are actually needed for reproduction the following spring. Iowa's comparatively long; cock-only season is really quite conservative because the hen segment of the population is always protected from legal hunting losses. Shortening or closing a cocks-only pheasant season during population lows does not result in increased pheasant production in the future, because hens are protected and the lack of breeding males has never been a limiting factor for Iowa pheasants.  

 

 

The term pheasant usually applies to large, colorful long-tailed members of the family Phasianidae. There are approximentely 49 species and even more subspecies of pheasant. Pheasants originated in Asia and inhabite a wide variety of terain from snowy mountains to steamy jungles. In North America they have been widely introduced to many areas for sport hunting. All but one species of pheasant are still found in Asia.  

 

Pheasants are simalar in physiology to the chicken with stout bills. Most Pheasants have long, strong legs with four-toed clawed feet. The legs and bill are adapted to scratching in the ground for food. When a pheasant senses danger it prefers to use it's legs to run from the danger. Pheasants are able to fly swiftly, but cannot sustain flight for very long. Male Pheasants often have spurs which are used in battles for dominance. Most Pheasants are large birds with very long, pointed tails. Wings are short, rounded and curved. Males are generly larger than females and are usually more colorful. 

This purpose of this section of gamebirdhunts.com is an introduction you to the pheasants commonly found in North America.

 

The common species are shown below along with details about that species. Thank you to McFarlane Pheasants and their great website www.pheasant.com for their help with this section. 

 

Common Pheasant Species In North America 

Chinese Ringneck Pheasant 

Chinese Ringneck Hen 

Melanistic Mutant  

Manchurian Ringneck Cross 

Chinese Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 

Cock (Male) Chinese Ring Neck Pheasant 

Hen (Female) Chinese Ring Neck Pheasant 

 

 

Weight: males 41-46 oz; females 31-34 oz 

Length: 30"-36" 

Flight speed: 38-48 mph 

Habitat: grasslands, wetlands, and brushy areas interspersed with agriculture. Foods: waste grains and weed seeds 

Life expectancy: 70% annual mortality rate; 2-3% of population lives to age 3 

Mating: polygamous; one male breeds many females 

Nesting period: peak April-June, range March-August 

Nests: usually shallow, scratched-out depression in the ground lined with grass or leaves 

Clutch size: 11 eggs for first nests 

Eggs: olive-brown; ovate (17/8" x 13/8") 

Incubation: 23 days 

Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately; can make short flights at 12-14 days 

Number broods per year: 1; will renest up to 4 times 

Nest success: ave. 43%. Fledge: hen and brood separate 8-11 weeks post-hatch 

Recruitment: ave. 3.7 young/hen 

Migration: none; year-round resident  

Data Above Provided by the Iowa DNR 

 

The Chinese Ringneck is the most popular of breeds. This pheasant is used primarily for stocking and hunting. These hardy birds adapt readily to the wild and are prized by sportsmen for their excellent flying ability and brilliant colors. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets. 

 

This melanistic mutant is a pure breed. These large, beautiful pheasants feature an iridescent, greenish-black plumage. A favorite variety for release, they display a remarkable ability to survive and reproduce in the wild. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets.  

 

The Manchurian Crossâ„¢ Ringneck is the offspring of a male Pure Manchurian and a female Chinese Ringneck. The Pure Manchurians were imported as eggs directly from the fields of China. These birds have great naturally wild characteristics which are seen not only in their physical appearance, but in their performance as well. For those looking to propagate their land, the Manchurian Crossâ„¢ chicks and mature birds are a perfect fit. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets. These birds have been known to roost in trees at night to avoid predation.  

 

Male Hungarian Partridge and and female Partridge are very similar in markings. If you look closely at the male partridge you should see a horseshoe shaped marking on the breast. The Males face and throat have tinges of brownish orange and the males breast is brushed with vains of a darker gray. In femaile partridge the breast is normally more of a solid grayish color and they will have a much less dominate horsehoe or U marking. According to some biologists the best way to tell female from male is the female has a forehead showing an excess of pear-shaped, buff spots and the male has, instead of specks, tiny, thin lines, of a pale flaxen or ocher color, which become more noticeable at the nape. 

 

Hungarian partridge also known as the Gray Partridge or Hun closely resembles the grouse. These birds are hardy and love to travel in groups. They are very vocal birds and are also favorite additions to gamebird hunts. Their brown markings allow them to blend in to their surroundings well. These birds pair up and mate for life. Ideal habitat would consist of about 65% small grains, and the rest in short native grass around 2 feet in height. Small brushy bushes, often found on the edge of roads and fields make great wind barriers for the birds. Great for propagating small farms.  

 

Weight: males 14.0 oz; females 13.5 oz. 

Length: 12"-14".  

Flight speed: 30-40 mph.  

Habitat: open landscapes of intense small grain and row crop agriculture.  

Foods: waste grains and weed seeds. 

Life expectancy: 70-90% annual mortality rate; few birds live to age 3.  

Mating: monogamous; remain paired throughout the breeding season.  

Nesting period: peak April-June; range April-August. 

Nests: usually shallow, scratched-out depression in the ground lined with grass or leaves. 

Clutch size: Ave. 16 eggs (range 10-20); first nests larger. 

Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately and can make short flights at 12-14 days. 

Nest success: Ave.  32%; range 10-67%. 

Number broods per year: 1; persistent renester.  

Data In The Orange Boxes Provided by the Iowa DNR 

Fledge: young resemble adults at 16 weeks and remain with adults in coveys through fall and winter.     Migration: none, year-round resident.     Eggs: olive-buff; ovate (1 1/2" x 1 1/8").  

Incubation: 23 days. 

  

Ever since the invention of firearms, gray partridge have been an important gamebird in Europe.  Beaters were often used to drive the birds toward shooters stationed at the ends of fields.  It is interesting to note that during the 1700s, Germany had a "cocks only" season on partridge.  As the birds flushed towards them, the shooters selected only those birds with the dark horseshoe mark on the lower breast.  Since the horseshoe mark is not a reliable method of determining sex, the German hunters were obviously killing some hens, but this "cocks only" hunting season was used for many years.  

 

Before a snowfall, hungarian partridge can be hunted in picked cornfields or open grassy areas in much the same way you would hunt for pheasants.  Hungarian partridge are jumpy and will usually flush as a covey, at flush they often squak warning calls while the hunter is still 30 or more yards away.  If the hunter is a good shot and is armed with a 12-gauge, full-choke shotgun he may be able to harvest a few partridge before they get out of range.  After flying for several hundred yards, the partirdge covey will usually alight as a group on open ground.  If the birds are followed up by the hunter, the covey will usually flush just before the hunter gets in range.  If this tactic fails to discourage the hunter, the birds may eventually set down as singles in a grassy area or hayfield.  Singles hold better than the coveys and may provide some excellent close-range shooting.  

 

When there is snow on the ground, partridge are easier to locate but often more difficult to approach.  Under these conditions, some hunters have found they can get closer to these wary birds if they are wearing white coveralls.  Bird dogs are not essential for partridge hunting.  A wide ranging dog will often flush the birds beyond gun range.  However a well-disciplined dog that stays close can be very helpful for partridge hunting.  

 

The Chukar Redleg is a small flighty bird. Known for their flying ability and their zebra like stripes, they are a favorite addition to gamebird hunts. These birds hold well in cover and get up and go when flushed. These birds thrive in dry arid conditions; however, recently they have become a very popular additive to hunts looking to add speed to their hunts. These birds tend to run uphill and flush down hill often giving the hunters numerous chances. Habitat consists of small grains or brushy terrain. To hold the birds to the terrain a small stream or water source is necessary.  

 

Ever since the invention of firearms, gray partridge have been an important gamebird in Europe.  Beaters were often used to drive the birds toward shooters stationed at the ends of fields.  It is interesting to note that during the 1700s, Germany had a "cocks only" season on partridge.  As the birds flushed towards them, the shooters selected only those birds with the dark horseshoe mark on the lower breast.  Since the horseshoe mark is not a reliable method of determining sex, the German hunters were obviously killing some hens, but this "cocks only" hunting season was used for many years.  

 

Before a snowfall, hungarian partridge can be hunted in picked cornfields or open grassy areas in much the same way you would hunt for pheasants.  Hungarian partridge are jumpy and will usually flush as a covey, at flush they often squak warning calls while the hunter is still 30 or more yards away.  If the hunter is a good shot and is armed with a 12-gauge, full-choke shotgun he may be able to harvest a few partridge before they get out of range.  After flying for several hundred yards, the partirdge covey will usually alight as a group on open ground.  If the birds are followed up by the hunter, the covey will usually flush just before the hunter gets in range.  If this tactic fails to discourage the hunter, the birds may eventually set down as singles in a grassy area or hayfield.  Singles hold better than the coveys and may provide some excellent close-range shooting.  

 

When there is snow on the ground, partridge are easier to locate but often more difficult to approach.  Under these conditions, some hunters have found they can get closer to these wary birds if they are wearing white coveralls.  Bird dogs are not essential for partridge hunting.  A wide ranging dog will often flush the birds beyond gun range.  However a well-disciplined dog that stays close can be very helpful for partridge hunting. 

 

Reference: http://www.sportsmansacrespheasanthunts.com/pheasant-tips-and-facts.html