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SOUTH DAKOTA PHEASANT HUNTING
Koby
Mahrt
112 S Harmon Drive
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605)-999-3608 (Cell)
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PHEASANT
HUNTING IN ROW CROP FIELDS
A clean, well groomed row crop field is less than ideal
for pheasant hunting. The wild pheasants begin running
out head of the pheasant hunter as he is driving the
pheasants to the opposite end of the field.
Over the years, hunting a row crop field was a lot like
hunting a block of grassy cover. The crops were much
shorter and there was considerably more weedy ground
cover, which is not the case today. Back then, pheasants
held much longer, so a group of one or two hunters had a
good chance in a large field.
If you luck, you could find an occasional dirty or weedy
cornfield; if so, it will most certainly hold more birds
than nearby “clean” cornfields.
These clean or open cornfields that are common today,
are best hunted utilizing more than 2 blockers
positioned at the end of the driving group.
Some hunter who own good pheasant hunting dogs, all but
refuse to hunt these clean fields, because the dogs tend
to chase the pheasants, uncontrollably, out the end of
the fields.
Do not ignore crop stubble, especially if it is weedy.
The stubble make a prime pheasant hunting area, and is
usually high enough to hid a sneaky ring neck rooster
pheasant.
Hunting row crop fields is most productive the first and
last two hours each hunting day, although they may and
do hold pheasants anytime. Avoid hunting these fields
during very windy weather. Rustling leaves may prevent
you from hearing the pheasants flush, and your hunting
dog may not hear or respond to your commands if he is
not in sight.
Here are some simple tips when hunting row crop fields
while pheasant hunting:
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Utilize manageable strips, only take as much as your
group allows. Trying to cover a 100 acres of row
crops, with only 2 pheasant hunters will not work, and
only frustrate you.
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Small groups should concentrate the pheasants to the
edges of corners of the row crop fields, keeping the
birds away from the center of the field.
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Don’t attempt to hunt a row crop or stubble field
with-out blockers or posters at the end. Posters must
remain silent and in one spot, otherwise the pheasants
will see them and flush prematurely.
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The heart of the group, or drivers, should walking
into the wind; using this method, the birds are less
likely to hear them coming, and the hunting dogs will
be more likely to pick up the pheasant sent more
easily. This wind direction is preferred by most dog
handlers during pheasant hunting.
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The drivers need to be 20 yards apart, making sure
the middle drivers stall a little behind the outer
driver: this method is similar to a banana shape. This
method helps funnel the running birds down field
easier, and also allows the outside edge drivers a
easier shot if a wild flush occurs.
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Always remain alert and communicate well when you
approach shotgun range of the posters or blockers.
While pheasant hunting, never shoot a low flying bird,
or a bird that is running in the direction of your
blockers.
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Flushing dog breeds generally work their best in
open crop fields; while the pointing dog breeds may
have some difficulty pinning the birds down. In the
cut fields, birds often hold under fallen leaves or
debris, where the pointers can pin them down easily.
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