For many hunters, the New Year is not a time to rejoice, as it marks the start of a period of boredom. Deer season has come to an end. The ice may not be strong enough for fishing yet. Trout season is still a few months away. Their only connection to the outdoors is watching hunting or fishing videos and living vicariously through others. But it does not have to be this way.

This is the perfect time to hit the local fields and bag some late-season pheasants.

Late-season pheasant hunting presents a few challenges, but if you tweak your approach, it can result in a limit of birds and some tasty winter meals. Let’s look at what you can do to make your hunts more productive.

¯ Where to hunt

Unfortunately, pheasant hunting in Pennsylvania is limited to those areas stocked by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Although some neighboring properties may attract and hold a small number of birds, there is a very limited reproducing population, so stocking is the primary source of hunting opportunities.

Fortunately, the Pennsylvania Game Commission continues to stock during the late season. A large number of stockings take place in the weeks around Christmas. Depending on the availability of birds and conditions on individual properties, these stockings can continue through February. Stockings occur primarily on State Gamelands and in State Forests, although some private property is stocked if it is enrolled in hunter access programs. Check the Pa Game Commission website for stocking dates and locations.

¯ How to Hunt

The basic premise for hunting late-season pheasants is the same as if you hit the Gamelands on the first day. The difference is where the birds will be and how they will react. During the early season, or right after a stocking, pheasants will be roaming. They have just been introduced to a new location and need to explore to find food and a suitable habitat. During the late season, holdover birds have already found what they are looking for and are less likely to roam the fields. When new birds are released, they will start roaming but will quickly be drawn to the established flock and integrate with it.

In many cases, the birds will have moved to thick cover. Not only does this provide cover during harsher weather, but it also protects against predators. Of course, this thicker cover is harder to hunt. Even if you have a dog, penetrating the cover can be a challenge, and getting a shot at a flushed bird can be impossible. When birds are in thick cover, they work the edges rather than trying to push through it. Focus on the areas closest to a possible food source and those that offer the most protection from prevailing winds and weather.

If there is snow on the ground, use it to your advantage. Look for fresh tracks to indicate where birds may be holding and to educate yourself about travel routes. Birds will often flush along these same routes, especially if they lead to additional areas of cover.

Speaking of flushing, be ready for birds to move much more quickly. Remember, many of these birds have survived a long season of being hunted. They are not the new kids on the block and readily identify hunters and dogs as a threat. This means they are likely to flush early. Sometimes really early.

Be quiet during your approach. This is another reason fresh snow can be to your advantage.

Look further ahead. Be on the lookout for birds that have broken cover, possibly on the run, and flushing much further ahead of you than expected.

Be ready for the long shot. Because birds are flushing early, or even running and then flushing, your shots are likely to be much longer than you are accustomed to. Make sure you have a shotgun, load, and choke combination that will allow you to take these shots successfully.

If you do miss a bird, look for the available cover ahead of it. Unlike the early season, when tall grass and standing corn can offer protection, cover is limited during this time of year. Birds that are flushed will be looking for new protection, so any available cover is where they are likely to head. After a miss, move to the next available cover and start the process again.