Montana Pheasant Hunting is unknown to many pheasant hunters as a strong candidate when considering places to go hunt. Doesn’t bother those of us that hunt in Montana. The crowds can go to South and North Dakota and we will just have our great Montana Pheasant Hunting with less crowds. The forecast for pheasants statewide can be found here
The bottom line is numbers might be down from the last couple of years but those numbers were at record levels so the trend is still above average numbers of pheasants. This is a super general statement and depending on the region and or the specific land you will find great variance in Montana Pheasant hunting numbers. The report does state that there has been new land entered into the Open Fields for Bird Hunters program. This gives you access to private land that has been entered in the program. Other states don’t have the mass of public land like Montana does to give a greater hunting opportunity for pheasants and other upland birds.
Three things help Montana pheasant hunting. Timely moisture in the spring and summer. Good cover for nesting and finally temperatures that are above freezing until chicks get old enough. If you give the birds these three things and limit predators they will thrive and multiply.
Not bad for a bird that is not native. Pheasants were originally brought over from China but were not successful until a hybrid ring neck was produced. The first successful introduction in the US was done in Oregon in 1881. They were introduced to Montana in 1905 and were successful around grain crops and other crop food sources. Dr Charles Thornton introduced them when he moved to Corvallis. By 1926 and several more successful introductions throughout the state the legislature voted and a season was created in 1928. Pheasants flight speed is 38-48 mph and they lay on average 10 eggs. There major predators while nesting are the fox, raccoon and skunk. Once they are grown the main predators are man, fox, hawk and owl.
Montana pheasant hunting weather can vary from shirt sleeves to brutal cold and large snowstorms. After all, it is Montana! You have to be prepared for quick weather changes both for hunters and dogs. It is not uncommon in the late season to have snowfalls in the 10 inch range. Makes for great hunting if you can get around.
If you haven’t been here before and are looking most of the state around crop fields and water will hold birds. Eastern Montana is known for great pheasants especially as you get closer to the Dakota borders. Central Montana can hold a lot of birds around Lewistown and don’t forget the area around Great Falls with good numbers of pheasant. All told Montana pheasant hunting is greatly underrated as is all upland bird hunting in Montana. If you want to read in general about Montana upland bird hunting click on the link. Pheasants are great game birds and make for great table fare. Montana pheasant hunting allows opportunities for guys that don’t enjoy big game hunting but enjoy watching dogs work and getting out and getting some exercise with friends.
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