Conservation and hunting pheasant
Hunting pheasant is a popular challenge in some parts of the US. A native of China introduced to the US in 1895 they have established themselves in areas with grassland, wetland, brush and cropland.
Pheasants in the wild are largely the ringneck pheasant, while the fancy pheasants are still domestically managed.
The ringneck is a wary, beautiful bird. The agriculture practices that provided a means of establishment have changed and with changes comes a hardship for the pheasants.
To help the numbers groups such as Pheasants Forever have actively worked towards conservation and hunting pheasants.
Pheasants Forever member Duane Olson of Henry County Illinois points out there are several ways for sportsmen to support pheasant conservation.
Support local non-profit Pheasants Forever groups that maintain areas for the pheasants to live and breed.
If you are a land owner you can create a habitat with the help of Pheasants Forever and also government programs. This involves maintaining areas for nesting, winter cover and food. It is not recommended pen raising birds to turn loose due to disease issues and lack of thriftiness – many don’t survive through the first year.
Lastly, and most of interest to bird dog owners, participate in pheasant hunts!
Conservation efforts in shelterbelts use 1-5 acre havens that not only provide shelter for pheasants and other wildlife but can be an asset for land owners as well.
These trees and shrubs can save energy costs and heating expenses in homes as well as help shelter barns and other outbuildings.
Nesting areas need cover that’s low enough for hens to see but not too thick to run through. Legumes 8-10 inches high are ideal with clover or alfalfa meeting the requirement with a preference for 40 yards wide.
The nesting area should be undisturbed for 40 days. If it’s possible to refrain from cutting until mid July it helps greatly for the pheasants to raise their brood. The first week this means bugs – chicks will seek habitat they can easily navigate yet provides cover from hawks and other predators.
Pheasants Forever also has management techniques and food plot seed available for those wishing to help with conservation practices.
Habitat includes low to medium high grasses for nesting that aren’t disturbed, wetlands for water, windbreaks and dense cover for winter protection and grain or weeds for winter food supply.
The National Pheasant Fest will be held for the fifth time in 2009, and is the largest event of its kind with 30,000 people gathering that help with habitat preservation as well as sporting dog owners looking to learn more about hunting pheasants.
Although Pheasants Forever is a major sponsor you do not have to be a member to attend.
For the effort of maintaining the habitat and the challenge of hunting them, the pheasant offers some tasty eating.
Smoked, roasted or grilled it provides a tasty meal with little effort. For even less effort take two cleaned whole pheasants and place breast down in the slow cooker. Pour 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 2/3 cup water over pheasants and cook on medium for 6-7 hours. Remove pheasants and pull meat from the bone, returning it to the slow cooker, and serve over cooked rice.
Hunting pheasant can be a challenge for dogs and owners alike, but with a little effort it is a meal worth that effort.
