Pheasant Hunting - A deep rooted heritage
Of all of the game birds that a sportsman can hunt, it is my opinion that pheasant hunting surpasses them all. The male bird or rooster itself is beautiful and regal. As with most birds the males colors are vibrant and bright. The hen is more of a “camouflage” color to help it blend in when taking care of the young and also to help in carrying on the species.
Pheasant hunting is an experience all in itself. To me, the excitement of the opening day and the opportunity to hunt these birds parallels the beginning of some larger game seasons. Pheasant hunting, to me, is waking up on a crisp fall morning and heading to the field to “beat the brush” in hopes of flushing out one of these amazing birds. Nothing is more exhilarating than kicking through the brush and flushing a rooster. It can take your breath away. Even the most experienced hunters can be startled into missing “an easy shot” when it happens. Many times this has happened to me and my family members or friends. As disappointing as this may be, we always seem to get a laugh or find a small joke in the situation.
I’ve spent many hours in the fields seeking this wonderful quarry. My favorite way to go pheasant hunting is with my best dog, Viggo. He’s an excellent bird dog and makes the trip to the woods to go pheasant hunting that much more enjoyable. I truly believe that he’s even more excited than I am! All I need to do is break out the camo pants, blaze orange vest or get the shotgun case out and he’s ready to go pheasant hunting! Watching him work a field is nothing less than pure magnificence. I’ve spent very little time training him and knowing that pheasant hunting is that ingrained in his genes is simply incredible. Nothing is more pleasant to the eye than seeing his “body language” let me know that he’s on a bird and at that moment, the heart starts to pound.
That being said, as each page of my life turns, I’ve found that pheasant hunting is made even more special if you can do it with a good friend, or better yet a close family member. My two favorite people to take along with my dog and myself are my Wife and Dad. Going pheasant hunting with one, two or all three of them always becomes a memory that is sure to last a lifetime.