How to Go About Hunting Pheasants in Different Weather Conditions

There are pros and cons of hunting pheasants in different weather conditions, but the good news is that a little rain won't ruin your hunt. Depending on where you hunt pheasants during the open season, you could experience a range of weather types.

Today, we'll walk through different types of weather and how it can affect pheasant behavior and hunts! We'll also talk about using HuntWise to make sure the weather works in your favor.

What Weather is Best for Pheasant Hunting?

Ideal hunts begin with a cooler morning and a slight breeze. Cloud cover helps keeping the birds active and a slight wind can help the dogs pick up scent when the pheasant are on the ground.

Is It Good to Hunt Pheasants in the Rain?

My ideal pheasant hunt begins with an overcast sky and with a light sprinkle early in the morning. This is where a waxed field coat and hat come in handy. It's going to be slippery and you will be wet in these conditions, so make sure you're in boots and brush pants that can perform well.

I usually wear a wax coat on these hunts because it's comfortable and has a game bag, pockets for shells, and chest pockets for my hands. I'll admit that they aren't as technical as jackets with PFAS coatings and I don't rewax my coat every season.

On one particular hunt, two hours in the rain it soaked through. Don't be like me and sitting in the rain in a wet jacket. It's completely avoidable with a little planning and maintenance. You can get wax online and reapply yourself or you can take it to a retailer who sells waxed jackets and they can ship it off.

Also, it's good to know that if you like using a seat warmer in the car, the coat will lose it's wax finish faster. Just something I've noticed over the years if you want to prolong the waterproofing. 

Plan Clothing for Cold and Wet Weather

Gloves can be helpful for cold weather pheasant hunting, but some gloves just make things more slippery and harder to load shells.

Another factor to consider is eyewear to protect your eyes when shooting your shotgun. I like using clear lenses and something that doesn't fog up. If the rain picks up too heavily then the birds will hunker down in cover and will be hard to locate if you can't see through your foggy lenses. 

Use HuntCast to Set Expectations

In the HuntWise app, you can use HuntCast features and select pheasant as your species to get an idea what the weather patterns look like a few days before going out. You'll also be able to use the movement probability indicator as a data point when planning.

Being able to see the wind direction combined with the pins you've set can help you decide which side of a field you want to begin your hunt. 

If it's super hot or cold then the birds will be more reluctant to move and harder to find. However, I think this is an example of common sense hunting. If it's too hot do you want to be moving a lot? Pheasant take a similar attitude.

If it looks like it's going to be a heavy rain, then I'll make other plans. But if it's just a light sprinkling then you can make a morning out of the hunt. 

How Does Cold Weather Affect Pheasants?

If you find yourself in a colder climate hunting in snow, you may find it a bit easier to locate pheasants by seeking favorable cover like cattails or dense grasses.

As you scout using the HuntWise app, you can add pins for cover you find so you can return in future hunts. Birds might not be as active in colder weather, so once you find them, then you shouldn't have to cover much more ground. 

How Does Wind Affect Pheasant Behavior?

When hunting pheasants in wind, use the HuntWise app to plan aroundit.

If you're looking at HuntCast or WindCast to get an idea on wind, be sure to note how strong the wind is blowing and the direction. The stronger winds will encourage pheasants to stay on the ground. Having a flushing dog can help get them kicked up on these days and having a retriever will help if they catch the wind and you start taking longer shots. 

The wind direction and direction you approach the field from can really help the dogs pick up scent too. Approach the field with the wind in your face to help the pointers get to work. This will also keep your scent and sounds away from the areas you will approach.

Spending 15 minutes on HuntCast can save you a lot of frustration before a hunt. Knowing where pheasant take cover in snow and in rain with pins can also make return hunts easier and give you a good starting point for where dogs should start picking up scent. 

Pheasant Hunting is a Team Sport with Dogs

Like most upland hunting, whether pheasant hunting in snow or in warmer, drier conditions, you will benefit from having a team of dogs consisting of pointers, flushers, and retrievers.

Each breed has traits that help them accel in their role, but some dogs can do all the roles with enough training. You'll figure out quickly if your dog is up for the task, but you can run drills at home during the week to set them up for success. 

Use HuntWise for Success When Hunting Pheasants in Different Weather Conditions

You may not love being in colder, wetter conditions, but this type of weather can help you have the best pheasant hunts this season! Use the weather tips for pheasant hunting that we shared today, and spend time getting familiar with HuntCast and utilizing your pins to optimize your hunts.

Look at setting pins as an investment in the future and enhancing your hunting experience while using your time efficiently. You'll bust fewer birds and increase your success rate. You also might save money on shells.

Download the HuntWise app use your free trial to explore HuntCast, WindCast, and the mapping features free for your first week! 
Plan a better pheasant hunt and bring home more birds.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have answers to your questions about hunting pheasants in different weather conditions!

Q: What are the best conditions for pheasant hunting?

A: Cool, damp mornings with light wind are ideal. Pheasant birds stay close to cover and scenting conditions are good for dogs.

Q: Is pheasant hunting good in the cold?

A: Yes. Cold weather can improve hunting as pheasants concentrate in heavy cover, making them easier to locate.

Q: How does cold weather affect pheasants?

A: Pheasants conserve energy by staying in thick grass, cattails, or shelterbelts, moving less and holding tighter to cover.

Q: Where do pheasants go when it's windy?

A: They seek low, dense cover such as draws, cattail sloughs, or hedgerows to stay protected from the wind.

Q: What's the best time of day to hunt pheasants?

A: Early morning and late afternoon are best. Birds feed and move more during these cooler, active periods.