How To

How to Hunt Pheasant

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Rate: (2 Ratings)

Whether hunting early, mid or late season pheasants, a hunter can expect to have a lively fight with all three. Pheasant hunting is an exciting field sport that tests a hunter's skills and patience. With the proper care and planning, hunting these birds can be a pleasure.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

12- or 20-gauge shotgun with steel or brass shot
Hunter's orange
Retriever dogs

Step 1

Clean and properly maintain all weapons. A 20-gauge shotgun will serve a seasoned hunter well. A 12-gauge shotgun with a good brass shot load will help put more shot into the bird.
Step 2

Work with another hunter in the middle of a field to work the pheasant into an open area. Pheasant hens will more likely take to the air once forced into the open.
Step 3

Allow the shotgun barrel to lead the pheasant in flight. Shoot where the bird will be, not where it is.
Step 4

Consider bringing bird dogs, not only for retrieving dead birds, but to aid in flushing the pheasants from the underbrush.
Step 5

Hunt pheasants near the edges of streams, border areas and crop edges. These birds love the edges of boundaries and are easily flushed into open areas.

Tips & Warnings

Hunt pheasants either at early morning or in the late afternoon while they are foraging.
Work with a partner in a zigzag pattern to flush out pheasants across open fields.
Turn off car and radio at least a mile from the area to be hunted. Stay as quiet as possible avoid frightening off potential targets.
Never use lead shot when hunting any animal for consumption. Lead ingestion can cause poisoning and death.
Always wear hunter's orange when hunting to avoid potential injury.
Keep an eye out for snakes while working fields.
Obtain hunting licenses and any applicable permits or permissions before hunting.