The ring-necked pheasant, sometimes referred to as simply “ringneck,” “cock bird” or even derisively as “ditch parrot,” is a gaudy game bird that is a favorite quarry of many hunters throughout the western and midwestern portions of the country. Many other sportsmen and women are willing to travel hundreds of miles to reach huntable wild pheasant populations. 

As most hunters know, the ring-necked pheasant isn’t native to North America. A native of Asia, the pheasant was first released into the wild in North America in March of 1881. The rest, as they say, is history. While most introduced species either don’t flourish or become nuisances, the pheasant flourished and rather than becoming a nuisance, became a favorite challenging game bird of many—especially those who enjoy hunting over a good gun dog.

Ring-Necked Pheasant Range

A bird of agricultural areas interspersed with areas of taller vegetation, the ring-necked pheasant’s U.S. range reaches as far east as southern Maine and as far west as the Washington coast. The birds reach as far south as northern Oklahoma and west Texas, and range to the north all the way into southern Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada.

The largest populations are in the Midwest and north central states, however, good, huntable populations are found from Utah and Montana over to Minnesota and Illinois. The species is also popular to hunt on game farms and hunting preserves throughout its natural range and even in states that don’t have wild pheasant populations. Top pheasant destination states for nonresident hunters include Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa.

Ring-Necked Pheasant Biology & Habitat 

Once you’ve seen a male ring-necked pheasant, you’ll never forget it. And from then on, you’ll recognize a “rooster” the next time you see one. The bird’s bright colors, ranging from an iridescent blue or green head with red face patch to brightly colored feathers on the body, make it unmistakable. The bold white ring around the neck lends the bird its namesake and is also quite distinctive. Long tail feathers, often over a foot long, are another easy identifier.

Female pheasants are smaller and less distinct. A mottled brown, they can sometimes be confused with sharp-tailed grouse or even prairie chickens for hunters who haven’t learned the differences between those species that sometimes have overlapping ranges.

The difference of appearance in male and female ringnecks makes it possible for hunters to identify the sex of the birds on the flush, making management of the species a little easier. States with wild pheasant seasons allow the taking of only male birds, while both sexes are often bagged on put-and-take areas.

In fall and winter, when they are hunted, ring-necked pheasants eat mainly seeds, primarily from harvested agricultural fields. They also eat grass, nuts, fruits, and even insects, especially during spring and summer. They are often forage in grain fields in the morning and late afternoon, resting during the day in heavy covers in close proximity to their food source.

Roosters stake out breeding areas in early spring, where they crow and call to attract hens. The males often fight for the best territories, with lesser males having to take leftover breeding areas. Males can have several hens in their harems, and often guard their group of females from the advances of other males. 

Hens make shallow depressions for nests, often lining them with grasses, leaves, and corn husks. Eggs are olive-brown to bluish gray, with an incubation period of about 23 days. The precocious young will leave the nest nearly immediately after hatching.

Hunting the Ring-Necked Pheasant

Pheasants can be found in large groups or in smaller groups of one or two. They’re nearly always found somewhere in close proximity to cultivated grain crops, and when pressured will head to heavy cover adjacent to those crops. The more they’re pressured, the heavier of cover they seem to seek.

Pheasants are often hunted by large groups walking out expansive grain fields, but smaller groups—especially those with quality gun dogs—can also take their share of the birds. Many, in fact, enjoy hunting the birds solo or with just a friend or two. Great areas to start a hunt are CRP fields, fence rows along corn or milo fields, grassy drainage ditches within fields, tailwater pits that trap irrigation water and often have very heavy cover around them, and tree rows with cover adjacent to or near agricultural fields. 

Many people enjoy hunting pheasants with pointing dogs, although the birds tend to run a lot and seldom hold for a classic point and flush. Dogs with experience on pheasants often learn the tricks of the trade and are a great asset to any hunt. Those with close-working flushing dogs like Labs and spaniels also have great success with the wily ringneck. These dogs often track down the birds with their keen sense of smell and flush them within gun range, then provide the added bonus of delivering the downed birds to hand.

Hunting season timing varies throughout the ring-necked pheasant’s range, but the following states are known to have open seasons: Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas. Those planning to hunt other states should check their state regulations for season dates and open areas.

Shotguns and Gear for Hunting the Ring-Necked Pheasant

Wild ring-necked pheasants are big, tough birds, and they can be pretty hard to knock down. Consequently, many hunters choose to use a 12-gauge shotgun when pursuing these birds. However, there are those sub-gauge fans that also like to use their scatterguns for pheasants, so many put 20- or 28 -gauge shotguns to good use. Heavier shot is necessary for pheasants than for smaller game birds like quail, with lead No. 5s and 6s preferred. If shooting steel shot in nontoxic areas, No. 3s and 4s are good choices. Since pheasants are typically shot at longer distances than quail, a modified choke is often more productive than a more open choke like improved cylinder. However, improved cylinder is sometimes the better choice for those who are hunting with steel shot.

The global breeding population of ring-necked pheasants is estimated at about 56 million birds, down somewhat from the population’s peak in the mid-20th century. However, the bird remains a species of “low concern.” 

Interested in learning more about the ring-necked pheasant and the conservation of pheasant habitat, be sure to visit pheasantsforever.org

As with any species of game bird, always check the regulations in the area you intend to hunt before heading afield on a pheasant hunt. This will ensure you do your part in proper management of the species, as well as keep you out of trouble with the law.