How to Hunt for Pheasants in Minnesota

Pheasants are upland game birds that are popular among hunters in the western and southern portions of Minnesota. Hunters seek pheasants in grasslands and cattail sloughs through much of the season, which is open during the fall. Pheasant populations are tied closely with the amount of prairie grass on the ground, and hunter success is dependent on the number of pheasants. The following steps will help hunters who want to hunt for pheasants in Minnesota.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shotgun Ammunition Pheasant stamp and small game license

1. Purchase a small game license and pheasant stamp.

2. Locate prairie grasslands or cattail sloughs. Pheasants spend a considerable amount of time in both areas. Tree rows and drainage ditches attract pheasants, too.

3. Begin on one side of the grassland, slough or other cover type you have chosen. Walk along the edges first. If you have a dog, it should be working in front of you. Walk further inside the cover if you don't flush any pheasants along the edges. Make sure your shotgun is in a position that allows you to fire quickly when a male pheasant, known as a rooster, flushes.

4. Identify your target before you shoot. In Minnesota, it's illegal to shoot hen pheasants.

5. Continue walking until the edge of the piece of cover you are hunting. Rather than flush, pheasants often will run on the ground ahead of you but will fly once they reach the end of the cover.

Tips & Warnings

• Pheasants often run on the ground. Watch for movement in the grass or other cover you are hunting. Watch for pheasants that fly into cover ahead of you. While you may not have a shot at the moment, chances are the birds will be there when you get there.
• Wear bright orange items so you are visible to other hunters when you are pheasant hunting. Bring some extra water for you and your dog since pheasant hunting involves a lot of walking. Make sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

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