The Common Ringneck Pheasant

Pheasants are found in the western and northern United States and into Canada. They stay mostly in areas that have a good supply of small grains, and a mixture of grass lands, wetlands, and brushy or woody cover. Found often in the grasslands of Central San Joaquin Valley of California, they are a favorite among hunters. Your dogs with thank you for this most exciting hunt.

The roosters have a bright white ring around the neck and a shinny green and black head. They also have a bright red wattle around each eye. The tail is very long and they have sharp spurs on their legs. Their backs and sides are yellow and the breast has a dark reddish color. There is also a powder bluish color on their back in front of the tail area. The roosters can weight up to 3 pounds. The hens are buff colored, with shorter tails than the striking roosters. The hens weigh about 2 pounds.

We feed all our pheasants Quality Flight Conditioner, along with grains and seeds. They are very tolerant to the cold, but the heat seems to bother them. We try to keep shade available to them during the heat of the day.

The flush of these birds when startled, is a sight to see. This is a favorite for our dog and hunter alike.