Flushing Pheasant

[quacksmoker]

Yesterday, I had birds flushing 30+ yards in front of the dogs. I was keeping the dogs pretty close (15 yards) but the birds were not holding at all. What do you guys do when the birds aren't holding? I probablly would have had a better chance with out the dogs.

[bobcat]

I know the feeling, but without the dogs, chances are you wouldn't see any birds. Are these wild birds you're talking about? It's pretty tough this time of year. The best you can do is try to use the terrain to your advantage, by walking in a way so that you can get up on birds without them seeing (or hearing) you coming. Hunt almost as if you were deer hunting. That's what I try to do. I think if you can get up within about 50 yards or less before they know you're there, they will hold better. Or you can also try hunting the taller, thicker cover, where they may feel more secure and will hold tight instead of running and then flushing wild. It can also help to have your partner circle around and get out in front of where you think the birds are and try to block them. But not matter what you do, it's almost always tough this time of year.

Good luck. I know it can be very frustrating at times. But on the positive side think of all the exercise you are getting.

[singleshot12]

Yesterday, I had birds flushing 30+ yards in front of the dogs. I was keeping the dogs pretty close (15 yards) but the birds were not holding at all. What do you guys do when the birds aren't holding? I probablly would have had a better chance with out the dogs.

If I know of an area where chances are the birds will wild flush I'll keep the dog on a leash with me or tied to something and slowly quetly enter the area and flush them on my own. You can usually get alot closer. But once the first one flushes they usually all flush so be ready for a tripple.

[birdaddict]

I usually hunt with a friend and come at them from both sides. If hunting on your own try to push them into thicker cover they might hold longer. last resort put in a full choke

[quacksmoker]

Thanks for the tips guys. In this particular area, I think I should have just put the dog on a heal. I was pushing the birds towards the edge of a plateau and they were busting on the edge. If the dog was next to me, I would have been getting 30 yard flushes.

[Stilly bay]

this trick is an oldy but a goody: have the pup sit and stay at one edge of the field, while you sneak around to the opposite side. once in position release the pup to put the squeeze on any birds in between you. this works best in narrower strips, and only if your dog will listen.

[CamoDup]

or wait for the snow to fly...  thats my best strategy

[wildweeds]

Use the lay of the land and the wind direction to your advantage,remain SILENT and let the dog do it's thing,You never said if you have a flusher or a pointer,I've killed an awful lot of birds over the years where the dog was out banging away a couple hundred yards and got em pinned in crp and then I trekked on over and let em have it with the pincher manuever into their noses.Bottom line is if they hold they hold and if they don't.............you lose.FWIW....................pheasants don't run down steep hillsides.Push them easily toward the break in the hillside,if it's done subtly enough they will hold,if only hens wild flush.........they are Suicide Queens that jump and make you think no more birds are around.......investigate those areas carefully for a tight sitting rooster.

[quacksmoker]

Use the lay of the land and the wind direction to your advantage,remain SILENT and let the dog do it's thing,You never said if you have a flusher or a pointer,I've killed an awful lot of birds over the years where the dog was out banging away a couple hundred yards and got em pinned in crp and then I trekked on over and let em have it with the pincher manuever into their noses.Bottom line is if they hold they hold and if they don't.............you lose.FWIW....................pheasants don't run down steep hillsides.Push them easily toward the break in the hillside,if it's done subtly enough they will hold,if only hens wild flush.........they are Suicide Queens that jump and make you think no more birds are around.......investigate those areas carefully for a tight sitting rooster.

Great info! Thanks!

I've got a flusher (Springer) and was working into the wind. Out of 7 or so flushes, I only had one hen, and she was about 5 yards from me. All the roosters were way out when the flushed.

Most of my upland hunting has been for bobwhite's and I am finding the pheasant need a slightly different approach.

Thanks for the tips and if anyone ever wants a hunting partner let me know.

[wildweeds]

I had 2 springers years and years ago now that would actually shoot out to the front and work back towards me,they both learned this on their own with time,not sought after behavior because most of the time they would beeline well out of gunrange and then quarter back towards me.The female was the only dog I ever had to pluck wild palouse roosters from out of the sky,she had a really really hard flushing desire,dambdest dog though as she would actually stop and point quail,which of course is undesireable by the purists.

[PNWsportsman]

Snow will help tons, but it needs to be fresh....3inch lead 4's will also help but I always have to remind myself its a slower load. 

My standard strategy is to keep up with the dog.  Meaning if the birds are nervous and running the dog will also work faster.  If I work the dog slower the birds will have more time to be nervous and flush sooner.  Depending on where you are (geographic location) birds may flush from hudreds of yards or may even flush when the truck door shuts, if so I would hunt the heaviest cover possible. 

[rosscrazyelk]

Hunting without dogs can be hard but not impossible. Like others have said hunt the thicker stuff. or hunt with numbers.. I am available

[quacksmoker]

Hunting without dogs can be hard but not impossible. Like others have said hunt the thicker stuff. or hunt with numbers.. I am available

Well if you ever make it over to the east side, let me know.

Thanks again everyone for the tips.