| The pheasant has been a popular bird for hunting | | | | the hunt, both in the flushing of birds and the |
| for many hundreds of years throughout the | | | | retrieval. |
| world. The bird is native to Asia and was brought | | | | For any species, a hunter must know the |
| to Europe in the tenth century where it quickly | | | | creature he seeks. Studying up on pheasant |
| become the fowl of choice to hunt. It wasn't until | | | | habitat and behavior will only prove to increase a |
| the late 19th century that the pheasant was | | | | hunter's chances and enjoyment while in the field. |
| introduced to the United States from Great | | | | A hunter must have keen eyesight and always |
| Britain. In the new habitat the bird flourished and | | | | pay attention to areas that have both food and |
| by the 1920's their population was high enough | | | | water available for the pheasant; they prefer not |
| that it became a popular species for hunting. Due | | | | to travel far from these necessities. Another |
| to agricultural practices in the 1960's the pheasant | | | | great place they prefer to hide is along deep |
| population soared, then sunk in subsequent | | | | ditches and the undergrowth of bushes and trees. |
| decades due to a decline in quality agricultural | | | | A hunter should also pay attention to the weather |
| practices. Because of the declining population, the | | | | when he's hunting pheasant. Variations in climate |
| sport of pheasant hunting also declined. | | | | and weather conditions can effect the pheasant |
| Because pheasant have such a heightened sense | | | | population from season to season and thus effect |
| of danger, they can be a very difficult quarry to | | | | a hunter's choice of hunting location. Another |
| track. A hunter must be very patient, and as | | | | great resource can be online forums where |
| silent as he can manage. It's necessary that a | | | | hunters discuss local pheasant populations in the |
| hunter take his time walking through the field | | | | area. Here a hunter can find good locations to |
| when he's searching for a bird. Excellent aim will | | | | hunt, and patterns that other hunter's have |
| also be important as a hunter often only gets a | | | | noticed while hunting the fowl. Pheasant hunting |
| few seconds at his perfect shot. Pheasant are | | | | can be a fun, and very challenging target for even |
| known for the quick and agile movements, so | | | | the veteran hunter, so doing a little research will |
| bringing one down can test a hunter's skill. Using a | | | | certainly put the game in the hunter's favor. |
| well-trained dog can be an invaluable resource to | | | | |