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Common Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
Common Name: Ringneck
Subspecies: 35
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Basic Facts
- Size: Males are
2-1/2 to 2-3/4 pounds and 30 to 36 inches long (including tail);
Females are 2 to 2-1/4 pounds and 21 to 25 inches long.
- Flight speed: 40 miles per hour (short distance fliers).
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Where to Find Them
Pheasants prefer
to feed in the morning and preen in the afternoon before roosting. Popular
pheasant feeding include crop rows and land rich in seed, so look for any
area where excess grains can be found. If the pheasants have faced heavy
hunting pressure, they'll most likely retreat into the heavy rough, requiring
greater coordination with your dogs and fellow hunters.
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Behavior
Rain or snow
essentially grounds the pheasant, so they can be especially hard to find
during inclement weather.
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When Flushed
Upon first being
approached, a pheasant's first line of retreat is simply to march into deeper
rough. If you can cut off this escape route, or apply more pressure, the bird
will fly. Look for a flushed pheasant to rise into the wind before turning
away.
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Remember
Pheasants tend to fly even predictable flight patterns, making it easier to
time your shot for the best distance to maximize shot spread.
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