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Pheasant Hunting

A photo of a male Ring-necked Pheasant in Oklahoma.

The Ring-necked Pheasant was introduced into this country in the 1800s and now they are found from New England to California and are well established as a popular game bird in many states, including the Sooner State. A great hunting tradition in Oklahoma is the December 1 pheasant opener in the panhandle. The population of that part of the state swells on the opening day.

Description

The average length for the male is 33 inches and 21 for the female. The male has a green or purple head with a bare red eye patch and a white ring around his neck. His russet breast is spotted with black, the back is variously hued with green fawn and light gold, and the bright gold tail is regularly barred with black.

Habitat

Pheasants prefer cultivated farmland habitat mixed with weedy fencerows, ditches, and corners. CRP lands are also quite popular with these colorful gamebirds. Although they are swift runners and prefer to travel overland, when flushed, these birds generally fly toward timber or thick brush for escape cover. However, they are commonly seen out in wide open fields where they feed on waste grains, weed seeds and insects.

Ring-necked Pheasant Field Guide


 

Pheasant Regulations 2023 Pheasant Season Outlook


HUNTING & SAFETY TIPS

Watch 2023 Upland Bird Season Update on YouTube.
2023 Upland Bird Season Update
Watch Learn to Hunt:Upland Game Bird Basics 2023 on YouTube.
Learn to Hunt:Upland Game Bird Basics 2023
Watch Hunting Pheasants for Beginners- Part 1 on YouTube.
Hunting Pheasants for Beginners- Part 1
Watch Pheasant Hunting 101 - NRAhuntersrights.org on YouTube.
Pheasant Hunting 101 - NRAhuntersrights.org
Watch Chokes and Shells for Pheasants -- Safe Shooting & Hunting Tips with Dave Miller on YouTube.
Chokes and Shells for Pheasants -- Safe Shooting & Hunting Tips with Dave Miller
Watch Wingshooting Safety - Bird Hunting Tip on YouTube.
Wingshooting Safety - Bird Hunting Tip

CLEANING & PROCESSING TIPS

Watch How to Clean a Whole Pheasant on YouTube.
How to Clean a Whole Pheasant
Watch From Field to Table: How to Clean a Pheasant on YouTube.
From Field to Table: How to Clean a Pheasant
Watch How To Clean A Pheasant on YouTube.
How To Clean A Pheasant

COOKING TIPS

Watch PHEASANT 101 - how to cook pheasant with The Sporting Chef on YouTube.
PHEASANT 101 - how to cook pheasant with The Sporting Chef
Watch HOW TO COOK PHEASANT (WORLDS GREATEST) on YouTube.
HOW TO COOK PHEASANT (WORLDS GREATEST)
Watch How to Cast Iron Pan fry Pheasant | Recipe on YouTube.
How to Cast Iron Pan fry Pheasant | Recipe