Thr e pup got to see a real one

[Varmintmist]

I have been out a few times and while the older dog (Elvira, Mistress of the Bark) flushed a couple they were obscured by trees, or came out of the trees at rifle distance. The first she got on was the pheasant version of Usaine Bolt and just ran straight away and he went up at 60+ yards. Today we went out and explored a different part with no flush, then went back to the west side and walked the front and came up empty. Took a DB (dog break) then headed to the back side and Ellie dropped off the path and put one up in a 5 foot chase. I got him and brought the pup (Lilly Munchter) got to see one close up and get feathers in her face. Hunted a little more than called it a day.

[GrapeApe]

cool

[sakodude]

Nice! Haven’t hunted over a dog since I was a teenager. Good memories.

[Chiro1989]

Good start, better than disappearing over the top of the hill chasing a deer

[Varmintmist]

Good start, better than disappearing over the top of the hill chasing a deer

Lilly is a gentle soul and I think when she puts dad+gun+truck ride+ pheasant scent together she will be OK at it. Sticks close unlike Elvira whos hunting name is "ole turkey choke". Currently she is better on the whistle than the old dog. We will see once she gets on one of her own.

[jbp-ohio]

Are they wild pheasants? About 10 miles from here is the Highlandtown Wildlife Area. The Ohio Dept of Natural Resources used to release pheasant there. I'm not sure they currently do.

I've seen pheasants in the field next to the house before. I think they are Amish farm escapee's.

[Varmintmist]

Nope, there is a pheasant stocking program in PA. You have to buy a separate stamp which funds a re-population program in good pheasant area and some of the stocked make it so there is always hope that they will settle in and breed. They PGC did well with bear and turkey enough that we sent turkey to help out the flocks of a lot of other states and produce some of the biggest black bear in the country. The Pa Game Commission stocks a couple game lands fairly close to me as well as all over the state weekly or bi weekly and its fun with the dogs, taste ok to.