Where do we stand?

HollowWatcher

HollowWatcher

Member
If you were asked to list the top pheasant hunting states east of the Mississippi River what would your list be like? I made a thread about the Top 5 pheasant hunting states that got me thinking about what states outside of the perennial powers had the best pheasant hunting. All of the perennial powers are located west of the Mississippi. So what are the top states for pheasant hunting east of the Mississippi?


Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in my opinion our the states that you would have to consider for the the top spot. Indiana and Illinois have lottery systems I believe due to lack of public land so that would lower them substantially on my list. Taking into account access and opportunity(wild or released) here is my list!

1) Wisconsin
2) Pennsylvania
3) Michigan
4) New Jersey
5) Illinois

In another few years I believe Pennsylvania can take the top spot when the WPRA's become more established. Pa stocks more birds than Wisconsin but they harvest more wild birds I believe! It was close but I believe we have more potential so that's why we are number two.

Michigan doesn't stock but they manage to harvest near a 100,000 birds every year or at least they use to so they come in at three. New Jersey stocks a lot birds in not a bunch of places so the opportunity is there and Illinois comes in 5th because there are still birds there if you can hunt them!

What does everyone think?
 
Hmmm...I'm going to have to give this some thought. It's not as easy as you first think, for instance, lenght of season, public land, does wild matter, tradition, etc. :confused:
 
Good topic! I haven't been to a lot of the states mentioned but I think it would be hard to beat Pa. in the east. I know a lot of guys from NY, NJ, Ohio,Maryland, and Va. are buying out of state licenses to hunt birds in Pa., so that must mean something. So here goes!

1 Pa.

2 Wisconsin

3 Michigan

4 Illinois

5 New York
 
If it is just pheasants then PA might be at the top. I think Wisconsin might be decent from what I read and I know NY stocks along with NJ but not with the numbers of PA. PA does get a lot of out of state hunters for pheasants so that should say a lot. MI has some wild birds (I think) but I don't think the numbers are great. I just don't know enough about WI.

1.PA
2.MI
3.WI
4.IL (have some quail as well)
5.NY

Of course some of the above states have some good grouse hunting to make up for less pheasant numbers. But it is hard to beat the amount of public land in PA.
 
Ok...just for fun!

1 Pennsylvania, the amount of hunting opportunities for ringnecks is really awesome. With over 100,000 pheasant hunters it still has a strong tradition.
The State releases 220,000 birds and is working on having a limited season on wild birds. A great youth pheasant hunting program. There are places to hunt on State Games Lands in all areas of the State so travel isn't to bad for anyone.

2 Nova Scotia, this gem is on my bucket list. It has a small but thriving wild pheasant population. From what I've read very friendly people and an enviroment and habitat that I am familar with.

3 Wisconsin, a wild population along with released birds could make for some very good hunting.

4.1 Michigan, they are making a strong effort to bring back their pheasant hunting.
4.2 Illinois, because of their wild pheasant program and maybe get lucky enough for the lottery if resident.

5 New Jersey, With over 50,000 pheasants and 10,000 quail released it should be no surprise. Just wish it wasn't so crowded!

I keep changing the list!:D
 
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The more I think about it I tend to realize how lucky we really are! Over the last 5 years we have seen an increase in opportunity and quality when it comes to pheasant hunting. I thank the Game Commission as well as Pheasants Forever!
 
HollowWatcher said:
The more I think about it I tend to realize how lucky we really are! Over the last 5 years we have seen an increase in opportunity and quality when it comes to pheasant hunting. I thank the Game Commission as well as Pheasants Forever!
Click to expand...

I agree, can't wait for next year already.
 
Don't count out this year yet! I'm planning to make my annual trip out to western PA to hunt at Onpoint Outfitters. The dogs love it out there and we have hundreds of acres to run on. Well, they run while I'll walk. I don't mind that the birds are pen raised and Nittany didn't seem to care when he chased down a rooster and mad over a 100 yard retreive from the woods.
 
Aren't there some wild quail there? We used to have talks about where there might be wild pheasants. At first he was very tight lipped, then when I mentioned a few spots he really opened up. He was even giving me advice on property that was for sale. It will be different out there without him for sure!
 
I think there are some birds that reproduce on the property but I'm not sure on the numbers. I think they find some in the spring while they are training.
 
I was planning to drive out to hunt on Wednesday but due to the extreme cold and snow I will try again in a few weeks.
 
I do hope to get out there in March but Champ will stay at home. He's not ready to hunt for the length of time that I'll be on the ground. I was planning to work Champ this weekend but old man winter has other plans. Hopefully things will be better on the weekend of the 14th.
 
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