If you’re a serious pheasant hunter, then having an experienced dog by your side can make all the difference in success. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to purchase such an animal.
Pheasant hunting without a dog is possible, though it may be more challenging. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can follow to increase your chances for success on the hunt.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead for hunting pheasant without a dog is essential. Doing so will maximize your experience and boost your chances of success, plus give you peace of mind in case something unexpected occurs while out in the field.
Before beginning any fieldwork, it’s wise to first map out your location and confirm that you are in the correct spot. Doing this will prevent spending time in subpar spots which will only waste your energy and time.
Second, be prepared to move slowly while hunting. Doing so can help avoid attracting other hunters or predators that could reduce your chances of successfully bagging a pheasant.
Another essential tip when hunting pheasant without bringing a dog is to be aware of your surroundings. This will enable you to see what’s around you and determine when it is safe for you to walk.
If you are hunting as a group, create an agenda for how you will tackle the area together. This way, everyone knows their role and you all stay on track.
Be aware of the cover options available so you can move to it promptly. Doing this will prevent pheasants from fleeing.
Pheasants can be highly skittish, so it’s essential to be patient when hunting them. One way to achieve this is by moving through cover in a zig-zag pattern and making frequent stops; this will encourage the pheasant to flush and give you more time for search and capture.
Finally, become familiar with the different habitats pheasants use. This will enable you to know where they like to hide and feed.
Pheasants often prefer berry bushes on southern slopes because they get plenty of sun and protection from snowfall. Additionally, you should inspect fence lines and ditches near your property; these areas often go overlooked by hunters but offer excellent pheasant hunting opportunities.
Go Slow
When going pheasant hunting without a dog, it’s essential to take your time. Cover as much ground as possible and give yourself an advantageous view of the area you are hunting in.
Additionally, you should move slowly so the birds you are chasing don’t notice you and decide to seek shelter for the night. Doing this gives you an advantage in flushing more birds than usual.
Another helpful tip when pheasant hunting is to keep noise levels down, particularly in heavily hunted areas. Unnatural noises such as slamming your truck door, coughing or talking can frighten pheasants and cause them to flee before you even get close.
One way to reduce noise levels while hunting is to hunt during pre- and post-storm periods. Pheasants usually head for their nests or come out of them to feed themselves during these times, making hunting ideal.
One of the advantages to pheasant hunting during these times is that you’ll have a better chance at striking it with precision. They’ll likely be focused on finding their next meal and won’t be as focused on hiding in cover as much.
Once you identify a pheasant, move quickly towards it to take your shot. Doing this can save time searching for the downed bird and could mean the difference between a successful hunt and missed opportunities.
Be sure to follow pheasants if they fall and retrieve them when in clear sight. This is especially critical if the bird has wings and you’re not hunting with a dog.
Pheasants often bump their heads off bushes or other objects to alert other pheasants of their presence. Although this can be annoying, it’s an essential part of hunting.
If you’re uncomfortable bumping bushes or other objects, try shaking bushes or throwing rocks to tease the birds and send them flying in the opposite direction. This can be an effective way to flush them out of their hides or flyways and be very successful when pheasant hunting without bringing along a dog.
Don’t Work Cover That Can’t Be Shot In
One of the best ways to successfully hunt without a canine companion is by taking your time. This includes pre-hunt preparation such as eating a light meal and having some drinks beforehand. Before heading out on your hunt, be sure to bring along a water bottle or collapsible water dish for convenience. During the actual hunt itself, pay attention to your dog’s natural scent and their mood; rewarding them for smelling birds instead of simply feeding them may work best here!
Circle Back
On a field approach in prime pheasant country, a truck pulls off the road and two men and a boy climb out. Doors slam, tailgate opens with whistles, electronic beepers and shouts of encouragement ring out in response. Soon enough, an aggressive group is speed walking through some slough ground while flushing some wild pheasants along the way.
After some searching and preparation, the crew finally finds an optimal pheasant cover and works it thoroughly. With time passing, the dog starts acting birdy which allows the hunters to take their shot.
On this hunt, the guys are working well together and using their communication skills to effectively flush out pheasants. Communication is an integral part of successful pheasant hunting – especially when you hunt without your dog!
When hunting without your pup, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget to communicate with other members of your group. This can lead to major miscommunication, especially when trying to convey information to another team member about what should be done at a certain point in the hunt.
Keep everyone on the same page by having everyone circle back after they finish each task or area of the field they are hunting. Doing this will give everyone a clear understanding of what needs to be done and when, leading to an effective hunt without your pup!
By following these tips, you’ll make it much less likely that you’ll lose birds and increase your chances of filling your game bags. But the most important thing you can do when hunting pheasant without a dog is making sure you do everything possible to maximize your hunt and maximize success.
One of the most common mistakes people make when hunting pheasant without a dog is assuming that the wind will be favorable. This mindset can be fatal, as wind direction changes rapidly and unexpectedly. In pheasant country, wind can mean the difference between success and failure!