Upland Bird Dog: Upland Bird Hunting Pheasants

Upland Birds

Pheasants With A Bow

The challenge of hunting wild ringnecks during archery pheasant season is a great rush. Left, Stinger pointing with Temis backing, what turns out to be a cock pheasant. Gary and I moved in front with our bows ready. Totally hidden by the tall alfalfa, the cock bird was only a few yards from Stinger. We moved closer to Stinger until the pheasant flushed with a tremendous show of colors, we casted flu flu arrows towards the fast flying bird, as it cackled. Like most of these opportunities, the bird flew away unscathed. Afterwards, we celebrated with high fives and talked about how well our dogs handled their quarry. Right, in another field, Temis and Max (litter mate females and Gary's dog) both pointed a hen. As soon as we released them, both dogs ran like they were racing each other. We knew they were on birds but the alfalfa field was large and in seconds they were standing on the other side. We hurried to get in front of Temis and Max. Just before the hen flushed, I managed to take this picture. During the archery pheasant season, we oftentimes come home without a pheasant, but that's not really important to us. What really matters is the enjoyment of watching our dogs apply their craft and the opportunity to be outdoors.

Finally, after many points and only feathers to show for great dog work, I harvested a pheasant with my bow. It was late in the afternoon and we knew it was our last field to hunt. Temis and Max were working in another alfalfa field. Temis and I were on the south end while Gary and Max were north. Both pointers were running, scenting air, and tails snapping side to side, they were on birds. Max pointed first, Temis honored facing Max. We knew a bird was between the two Pointers. Gary moved in to flush the bird. The pheasant flushed high to my left, Gary didn't have a shot so I drew my recurve and released the arrow. To my amazement, the pheasant came down. I let out a yahoooooo so loud, the farmers must of thought a strange coyote was howling. The pointers tremendous courage, speed, and stamina enabled them to locate and pin wild pheasants. Because of these attributes hunting wild pheasants with bow and arrow is a blast.