subject: Pheasant Hunting - What You Need To Know Before You Go [print this page] Pheasant hunting is considered difficult but entertaining. There are special regulations that apply to pheasant hunting in observance with the mating season and other times of the year on which the survival of the species depends. Before going pheasant hunting, the best thing you can do is to check with the state authorities and find out all the details you need for planning such a hunt. In some countries where pheasants are an endangered species, hunting is prohibited.
Well-trained upland dogs are a must for pheasant hunting. If fact, the hunter only needs a dog with a well trained instinct and enough obedience. The animal ought to obey when the master calls it off a flyer or a runner. The training is not expensive as it happens with waterfowl dog training, and it may begin from a very early age. When in the wild, tracking the pheasants, the dog has to go into the wind so as to catch the sent. Don't forget to give water to your dog during the hunt, even on cool weather so as to keep it in perfect shape.
Pheasant hunting can expose dogs to lots of dangers. There is excessive heating and algae blooming threats. Lakes and ponds with algae blooming are lethal for dogs and other livestock, therefore, you should keep an eye on the dog and make sure it does not get into such hazardous areas. Good land research prior to pheasant hunting should increase your knowledge of the area and prevent any unhappy incidents. Do your homework well!
Another thing that gets overlooked by less experienced hunters is the attitude and conduct on the field. You have to be patient and really quiet, because slamming your car door will certainly not help. Such a noise tells every bird in the area that danger is approaching, and they will flee. Keep quiet until the hunt is over. Even the orders you give to your dog should be done in a low voice. Whistling can also be useful, depending on the code you've trained the dog on.
Pheasant hunting can be conducted either alone or in groups. There are all sorts of techniques that you can use here, and it all depends on the level of experience and your skills. A single hunter often gets exhausted and frustrated when the birds are wary and keep running. Groups, on the other hand, cover bigger land areas, yet there are safety concerns that appear when hunting, in larger numbers on thick grounds.
