Question about Free-Ranging Pheasants

[Tony K T]

I don't think you will have the luck in free ranging pheasants that you are expecting.They are gamebirds and will fly away.You may see them once in a while,but with all the predators around and them being a big part of the food chain,they will more then likely not stay in one place.They are georgeous to see in the wild in their natural habitat,but how often will you see that?You would be better off to free range guinea hens.They stick around and even work for you.They'll alarm you when someone is coming and they will eat as many bugs as they can eat.But again the food chain thing comes into effect.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[monarc23]

the warning noise I was talking about maybe it's the roosters call? Its a sound i can't really discribe, but they would do it in the pen at a school just walking around deffiantly wasn't a cackling noise....i've heard it on sound clips though for pheasants.

Best i can do to discribe it is "UUUH UHHHH!" but that doesnt do it at all! LOL!

 

[BaronRenfrew]

I love to see pheasnts, or hear them crowing. The truth is that a bunch of birds running loose near your place might attract predators that would otherwise have no reason to hang around.

For something to run loose that makes lots of noise and good for predators i'd suggest guineas. Just expect them to lay eggs where they want and not where you want. They will happily raise their own and will hang around your place.

They're also great for bugs, they'll leave your garden alone and will eat anything that moves... including ticks.

 

[greyfields]

I want to know this as well. A family across the island from me is going through a nasty divorce and out of rage the man released their 100+ pheasants and 50+ turkeys into the wild. They are succesfully reproducing and I see them all the time.

I walk our property every couple nights with a rifle. I'm always seeing pheasants and I just have no idea if I can shoot them for dinner or not. If I were to releae them, do they need to be tagged or banded so I can show they aren't wild ones (and thus not be hunting out of season)?

If anyone knows the rules in WA, plase let me know.

 

[lorieMN]

Quote:
contact your local game warden,they can tell you,I wouldnt risk it,here if you are caught hunting out of season or without a license or you have hens in your bag you may as well donate your gun,atv if you are using one at the time,vehical if you are using one at the time to the DNR,they take this very seriously..and you will be in court maybe with jail time and a huge fine.