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South
Dakota Pheasant Hunting at its finest!
100%
WILD SOUTH DAKOTA PHEASANTS
Pheasant
Hunting and Upland Gamebird Tips & Facts!
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.
Pheasant Hunting
Techniques
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.
Sources- Iowa DNR
& Minnesota DNR
Types of Pheasant
and Biological Facts
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 Mutnant
Manchurian Ringneck
Cross
Chinese Ringneck
Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Cock (Male) Chinese
Ring Neck Pheasant
Hen (Female) Chinese
Ring Neck Pheasant
The Chinese Ring-Necked
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.
Melanistic Mutant
Pheasant
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
Cross
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.
Hungarian Partridge
(Gray Partridge)
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.
Hungarian Partridge
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.
Hunting Hungarian
Partridge
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.
Chukar Redleg
Partridge
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.
Hungarian Partridge
Hunting Techniques
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. |
