| Hunters have long been the driving force behind | | | | an early one and a later one. Many of the birds |
| wildlife management and conservation efforts | | | | encountered in the later season tend to be much |
| throughout North America. Hunting plays a | | | | more active and high-strung than those found in |
| significant role in controlling the population of a | | | | the early season. This could be because the birds |
| species; over-population can lead to endangered | | | | have wised up to the fact that they're being |
| habitat and diminishing numbers in other species. | | | | hunted after the early season. While it is always |
| Pheasant season was meant to control the | | | | necessary to be as quiet as possible while |
| excessive population of pheasant throughout the | | | | pheasant hunting due to their great sense of |
| country, and many states even offer two | | | | hearing, the birds in the early season tend to be |
| seasons per year because of their large numbers. | | | | easier to hunt. Also in the later season the birds |
| While the time of year seasons are held depends | | | | often seek a heavier cover, both because of their |
| upon the species and requirements of the state, | | | | weariness from the earlier season, and because |
| the normal pheasant season runs from about the | | | | of cooler temperatures. It's important, especially in |
| 1st of October through the 1st of February in | | | | this second season, for the hunter to check |
| most areas. | | | | denser cover; many hunter's walk past these |
| In order to maintain a healthy population, it is only | | | | birds not expecting them to be hidden so well. |
| the roosters that may be hunted in pheasant | | | | While the earlier season the birds are plentiful and |
| season. After much research and many studies it | | | | somewhat easier to find, it's a good idea to wait |
| was found that 80-90% of the rooster population | | | | to hunt until after the first week's excitement |
| can be harvested during open season without | | | | dies down. Many hunters flock to the field in that |
| affecting next spring's hatch because roosters | | | | first week and safety can become an important |
| mate with so many hens. While the pheasant | | | | issue. It's smart for a hunter to wait through this |
| population may fluctuate from year to year | | | | first week and then comb back over the areas |
| based upon environmental changes, it's been | | | | that hunter's have already been through. Short |
| found that shortening the hunting season or | | | | grass and crop fields are great places to find |
| limiting the bag amount will not help to increase | | | | pheasant in the early season, but as soon as the |
| the population any more effectively than the | | | | population has decreased a bit, these often |
| roosters-only regulation. | | | | become hens-only spots. With a little planning and |
| Some states have such a healthy pheasant | | | | forethought a hunter can have a great time |
| population that they offer two hunting seasons; | | | | hunting for pheasant. |