Statewide

Western Oregon Fee Pheasant Hunts

7 reasons they’re great for new hunters

Amanda Solla

The Western Oregon Fee Pheasant Hunts offer new hunters a chance to hone their skills in a hunt that’s close to home and offers a good chance of bagging some birds.

7 reasons to consider a Fee Pheasant Hunt

1. Hunt areas are close by. Fee pheasant hunts are on ODFW wildlife areas near major metropolitan areas:

Portland (Sauvie Island Wildlife Area), Sept. 18 - Oct. 1, 2023.
Corvallis (EE Wilson Wildlife Area), Sept. 25 - Oct. 31, 2023.
Eugene (Fern Ridge Wildlife Area), Sept. Sept. 11 - Oct. 8, 2023.
Medford (Denman Wildlife Area), Sept. 18 - Oct. 6, 2023.

Pen-raised pheasants fly off after being released into a field. — Pen-raised birds aren't as wily as wild birds, and are easier to hunt.

2. Hunting is relatively easy. The pen-raised birds you’ll be hunting don’t have the survival skills of wild birds, making them much easier to hunt.

3. You might bag your limit in just a few hours. Depending on how many birds the wildlife area puts out and how many other hunters are chasing them.

4. You won’t need scouting skills. Pheasants are released on the wildlife areas every few days during the fee hunting season and typically stick close to where they’re released. This makes it easier for hunters to find the pheasants and flush them out.

5. Camouflage clothing isn’t necessary. A pair of jeans or sturdypants and shoes for walking through brush are good ideas, as is a long-sleeved shirt. Add boots and rain gear if it’s wet. A blaze orange hat or vest also is recommended.

2 successful pheasant hunters show off their birds. — It's not unusual to get your limit of birds in just a few hours.

6. You don’t need a bird hunting dog. Although a dog can make it easier to find and flush a pheasant. A good dog will even retrieve it for you.

7. They’re a great first hunt after participating in an ODFW pheasant hunting workshop. These workshops teach shotgun skills safety and offer participants the chance to hunt with a dog and experienced hunter. Check MyODFW.com to see upcoming workshops and events.

7 pheasant hunting tips

We asked some experienced hunters for their tips for hunting ring-necked pheasants.

1. Select a 12, 16 or 20-gauge shotgun with a modified choke, and #3 or #4 steel shot. Non-toxic shot is required on ODFW wildlife areas.

2. If you’re new to shooting shotguns, practice on clay birds first. You’ll be more confident and be more accurate when it comes time to shoot at birds.

A hunter wearing hunter orange really stands out in grassy field. — Wearing a hunter orange hat or vest, or both, will let other hunters know you're there.

3. Always follow these basic hunting safety rules:

Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
Be sure of your target, and what’s in front of and behind it.
Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you’re ready to shoot.
Wear a hunter orange hat or vest so other hunters can see you. Don't worry, the birds can't see hunter orange so they won't even notice.

4. Learn what pheasants sound like to help you find them in the field. Listen to a ring-necked pheasant.

5. Choose cool, overcast days and hunt in the early to mid-mornings during these early fall hunts; avoid mid-day when it’s warmer and the birds are hunkered down.

Hunter standing in brushy pheasant habitat. — Find good pheasant habitat to hunt, such as tall grasses or shrubby fields.

6. As you’re hunting, look for good ring-necked pheasant habitat – areas with cover such as shrubs and taller grasses, and at the edges of ponds, channels or waterbodies.

7. Hunt the wildlife areas during the week, if you can. You’ll usually see fewer hunters than on weekends.

Once you’ve bagged your bird, you’ll want to skin it. Learn how with this video.

Good luck on your hunt. And if you get your bird(s), or even if you don't, send us a photo of your hunt!

Amanda Solla is the ODFW outreach and engagement coordinator.

Heading photo by Rick Swart.