Upland Bird Dog: Upland Bird Hunting with bird dogs

Upland Birds

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The 2001-2002 General and Archery Pheasant Season in Southern California.

At times the alfalfa was taller than my Pointers. Thick, dense, tall and lush alfalfa are preferred by pheasants to nest, hide and to eat. In Southern California, many pheasants harvested have only alfalfa leaves in their crop. I've seen very few birds with caterpillars or other insects in their crops because farmers spray or dust by airplanes to prevent insect damage to the crops. Interestingly, seeds are found in crops of only a few birds. In contrast, in Mexico the harvested pheasant's crop contained mostly corn and millo seeds. Perhaps, the different produce raised and farming practices between the two countries may help to explain the differences found in what pheasants eat.

This cock bird was flushed just in front of Sage. The pheasant leaped into the air, as it gains altitude it defecated and cackled as it make a short get away. It only takes a few seconds before the bird was in full speed and changed its flight direction. Hens seem to be quicker in flight, perhaps, because they are smaller and lighter compared to the cocks. This dichotomy might be a survival adaptation as the hens incubate their eggs and must sit tight in the face of danger.

Sal and Nick takes time to relax and rest before getting into another alfalfa field. The fields are large and good running dogs are needed to effective cover and find birds. Please introduce young people in the sport of bird dogs and upland bird hunting.

Temis locks up solid point on pheasants. It seems birds like to hide near the hedge row of alfalfa fields. The higher ground may provide birds a clear area to run in and alfalfa seems to grow taller along the sides of these rows. Interestingly, in some fields pheasants are oftentimes found in the same location.

Gary Gentiles' young derby Pointer, Grace stands rigid to indicate the presence of pheasants. During her first year she simply ran up birds and gave chase to them as well as tweedy birds that flushed out in front of her. Towards the end of the general season and into the archery season Grace began to point birds but would still jump in and try to catch them. After the inevitable flush of pheasants she would give chase and then continue to hunt again.

These images were taken during Grace's second season on pheasants. Grace is now holding birds and allows Gary to get in front of her without breaking in to flush out the bird. Grace made the incredible transition from being a pup to a productive and useful bird dog. Exposure to wild birds will teach young dogs that birds will flush and can't be caught. Birds' flushing away reinforces the dog to point. Grace has wonderful style on point.