Whenever the opportunity arises, I jump at the chance to load up the hairy beasts we lovingly call our dogs and walk around the WY prairie in search of tasty little birds. The sage grasslands that surround Sheridan are home to a number of native upland game birds; sharptail grouse, sage grouse, chukar partridge and hungarian gray partridge to name a few. The chinese ringneck pheasant, although not native to the area, was introduced in the mid 1800's for the purpose of hunting; and has established wild populations throughout the Rocky Mountains. Though more prevalent in the Midwest, yea SoDak!!, there are wild populations in WY. Around Sheridan, most of the wild pheasant live on private land, i.e. not accessible to Steve. However, the WY Game and Fish has been operating bird farms to rear and release ringnecks and other game birds for the enjoyment of hunters. The "farm-raised birds" are born and reared on the game farms and released throughout the hunting season (Nov-Dec). Although not as much of a challenge to shoot as "wild-birds", they still offer an opportunity for those blaze-orange wearing, scatter-gun carrying, dog-whistle blowing upland bird hunters in who's company I belong.Although I thoroughly enjoyed hunting pheasants when I lived in South Dakota, it has become more of a fall ritual for me in WY since I became an owner of two (2) Labrador retrievers. Guinness and Brewer are mostly found sleeping on their dog beds between meals, but when I load them in the back of the truck and head to the field they are bird hunting machines. Mostly referred to as "flushing" dogs for their tendency to chase the birds into the air; Brewer has developed a pointing instinct that has become "designer" trait in labs, highly sought after by pheasant hunting enthusiasts. However, Brewer isn't much for retrieving fallen birds, so faithful Guinness brings them home. They both are truly in their element rooting through the brush and jumping through tall grass in search of birds; even though sometimes I need to remind Guinness that we are hunting birds and not field mice.
I found, over my four years of chasing "farm-raised" pheasant around Sheridan, that the best time to hunt the public land their released upon is during the middle of the week right after they've been dropped. With sunset somewhere around 430pm this means that I have to skip out of work if I want a solid chance to fill my pheasant vest. Though I try to avoid it, the birds call, and to the field I go.
Though not as tender as chicken, I love the taste of pheasant and have developed a few recipes that have become standard in our household; the favorites being creamy wildrice, mushroom and pheasant soup and pheasant curry.
Most of my hunting time in the fall is spent in pursuit of bigger animals, however I cherish the time I have in the field with my dogs chasing birds. The heart pounding surprise when a bird flushes from a copse of grass is a rush that is a mixture of fright and excitement. The challenge to compose yourself enough to level a shotgun and shoot true, at a moving/flying target, is truly a test; and one I will continue to pursue with the help of my hairy beasts!
