pheasant hunting in montana
Here in North Central Montana near Great Falls, pheasants are plentiful on our farm and the nearby leases. We are surrounded by wheat fields – the perfect habitat for these ditch chickens.
If you are yearning to hunt these birds I suggest you read on and learn about these elusive birds and how to out-think them.
Pheasant Habitat
Pheasants are crafty birds. They have a keen sense of hearing and can hold still, sneak out of gun range, double back, fly away or sneak past you if they hear you.
So quiet is needed at all times when in the field.
Knowing pheasant daily habits also helps ensure a successful hunt. The daily routine of pheasants is to walk or fly out of their roosting cover just after sunrise. They may pick up some gravel on their way to their feeding site – usually a crop field. They like to feed in ditches too. That is why their nickname is Ditch Chicken. So check the ditches not just mid-field. The afternoon is spent resting under cover, then late in the day when most hunters are relaxing around a fire pit, they emerge again for a meal before roosting for the night. Take your time and don’t leave the hunt too early.
Other birds you can encounter while hunting pheasants in North Central Montana include Sharp-tailed grouse (Sharpies) and Hungarian Partridge (Huns).
Hunting with a Guide
Alan Perry, owner and operator at Blue Collar Bird Dos LLC is a knowledgeable local guide who will add to the odds of having a successful hunt. Alan spends more time than most guides scouting roosts and roosters. He watches their habitats and is ready to take you to sites most other people don’t know about.
When using a guide you are able to get into private fields that have leased their property to the guide. It can be awfully lonely hunting alone all day long. Personable, friendly, knowledgeable and service oriented, Alan is ready to get you your limit.
Hunting with a Dog
Hunting pheasant with a well-trained gun dog is something to experience. Pointers, flushers, retrievers and other trained dogs can all do the job to find those wily birds. The ideal bird dog is one the bird hunter enjoys hunting behind. Trainable, efficient, pleasant and hard working are some of the qualities needed for a good hunting dog. All the dogs at Blue Collar Bird Dogs meet and exceed these qualities.
Hunting without a Dog
If you prefer to hunt without a dog you will need to work smarter and harder. Knowledge about pheasant habits and habitat is vital to outsmarting these crafty birds. Reading the landscape is critical to knowing where pheasants are going to be and what time of day they will be there. So, without a dog you become the pointer, flusher and retriever.
Are Pheasants good to eat?
Once you have bagged your elusive bird you might ask, “Are pheasants good to eat?”
Pheasants really are – They taste like chicken!
You may be thinking, “How do I cook this bird?”
There are many ways to prepare pheasant including: roasting, baking, stewing, smoking, frying and really any way you cook chicken. Below is a recipe based on one from The Spruce Eats.
Pheasant with Garlic and Wine
1 pheasant (2-3 pounds)
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 Tablespoons roughly chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Rinse pheasant and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into quarters.
Combine remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
Add pheasant to resealable plastic bag and add mixture to it. Allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for 3 – 6 hours.
Preheat grill to medium high heat.
Remove pheasant from the plastic bag, reserving marinade. Place pieces on lightly oiled grill rack and allow to cook for 5 minutes, or until browned, basting occasionally with marinade. Pheasants are lean so be careful to not overcook or it will be dry.
Reduce to medium heat and continue basting for another 15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Discard remaining marinade.
Once cooked, remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes.
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Phone/ Text: (406) 403 – 9422
Email: bluecollarbirddogs@gmail.com