What is the most popular game animal hunted for sport?
Ring-Necked Pheasants are highly regarded as being one of the most popular species hunted for sport, known as a “game bird” due to their plump size and expeditious escape tactics. Native to Asia, Ring-Neck pheasants also have a presence in Europe, Oceania, and North America. These birds prefer to run, though they are able to fly and maintain speeds from 35mph to 60mph, depending on how eager they are to leave a specific area and only for shorter distances. These pheasants can be found alone or in a group; spooked and they will disband in what is known as a “flush,” scattering in varying directions.
How to identify a Ring-Necked Pheasant.
Moreover, the males, or “roosters,” have an easily identifiable feather color and pattern; an abundance of reddish, coppery tinted feathers that cover the majority of the pheasant’s body along with red feathers covering the face, a teal green neck, white collar, black and white spots, and long tail gives the rooster a unique and distinctive appearance. The hens differ in their outward look being more of a tan/dark brown color throughout. Booth the roosters and the hens have long necks and average 2 to 3 pounds.
Nesting season for the Ring-Necked Pheasant.
The roosters assert dominance over the females, mating with several during mating season, which is in the springtime. Nesting begins in early May with the hens typically establishing their nests within shallow dug holes on the ground and surrounded by their preferred habitat consisting of untouched, tall grasses. The clutch of the hen is composed of 7 to 15 eggs, 12 eggs on average; hens must be watchful over their nest that can be threatened by common foe, such as foxes, raccoon, skunks, and feral cats. Furthermore, the pheasant eggs will hatch in mid-June, and the brood of chicks will stay with their mother for 2 ½ months or longer, learning fundamental survival skills before gaining their independence. Ring-Neck pheasants are ground foragers who prefer to consume grasses, leaves, roots, nuts, fruits, and insects. The average lifespan of a wild pheasant is 1 year due to predation, though hens have added protection when it comes to hunting in some areas; nevertheless, they manage to maintain a rather steady population.