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California Pheasant Hunting

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  2008 Pheasant Hunting Season Regs

2008 California Pheasant Hunting Season:

Archery is Nov. 8, 2008 - Jan. 6, 2008.
General shotgun and crossbow season is Nov. 8 - Dec. 21, 2008.
Falconry is Aug 16, 2008 - Feb 28, 2008.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Hunting License: You must possess a California hunting license in addition to the Upland Game Stamp. The cost of a hunting license is:

Annual resident $38.85.
Junior annual resident hunting license is $10.25.
Non resident annual hunting license is $134.95.
Two-Day Nonresident license, age 16 and over (not valid for big game) $38.85.
Reduced Fee, Disabled Veteran $6.00.
Duplicate Hunting License $6.30 .
Hunter Education Stamp is $3.75.

The California hunting license is good from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. California resident and nonresident hunting licenses are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Definition of Resident. A resident is defined as any person who has resided continuously in California for six months immediately before the date of application for a license, tag or permit; persons on active duty with the armed forces of the United States or an auxiliary branch; or Job Corps enrollees.

Disabled Veteran Hunting Licenses. A $5.75 hunting license is available for qualified disabled veterans. To be eligible, applicants must submit: (1) a letter from the Veterans Administration verifying that the applicant has a 70 percent or greater service-connected disability and was honorably discharged from the United States armed forces; and (2) evidence of meeting California hunter education requirements. Applicants renewing this license may submit their disabled veteran hunting license from the previous year as proof of meeting eligibility requirements. The reduced-fee provisions do not apply to hunting tags or species stamps. Disabled Veteran Hunting Licenses are issued only through DFG Offices.

Hunter Education Special Requirement. Hunting licenses shall be issued to hunters only upon presentation of one of the following:

An annual California hunting license from a prior year or evidence of having held such a license; a California hunter education completion or equivalency certificate; a certificate of competence or completion of a California approved hunter education training course from any state or Canadian province; or a current year hunting license from any state, province, European country or South Africa. For further information, contact any DFG office or license agent. A California hunter education validation stamp must be affixed to hunter education certificates from California.

DAILY BAG LIMIT: Daily bag limit is 2 males per day the first 2 days of the season; 3 males per day after the first 2 days of the season.

POSSESSION LIMIT: Double the daily bag limit. You must also fill out a "Declaration for Entry" form to comply with Importation law: Section 2353 of the California Fish & Game Code if you bring any game into California from another state or country. You can get the "Declaration for Entry" form here.

SHOOTING HOURS: Shooting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to sunset.

BAITING: DFG reg. 257.5. You cannot use bait for hunting dove nor can dove be taken within 400 yards of any baited area. The definition of “baited area” shall mean any area where shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grains, salt, or other feed whatsoever capable of luring, attracting, or enticing such birds or mammals is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, and such area shall remain a baited area for ten days following complete removal of all such corn, wheat or other grains, salt, or other feed.

SHOOTING FROM VEHICLES: DFG reg. 252. No person shall pursue, drive, herd, or take any bird or mammal from any type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, motorboat, airboat, sailboat, or snowmobile, except: 1) When the motor of such motorboat, airboat, or sailboat has been shut off and/or the sails furled and its progress therefrom has ceased, and it is drifting, beached, moored, resting at anchor, or is being propelled by paddle, oar or pole. (2)if they have a Mobility Disabled Persons Motor Vehicle License.

RADIO USE WHILE HUNTING: It is legal to use and posses two way radios while hunting in California.

DOGS: You can use dogs to retrieve your pheasants.

TRESPASS: If the land you hunt on is not your own, it belongs to someone else. Make sure you have a legal right to be there. Contact the owner or person who administers the property, and secure written permission to hunt. A hunting license does not entitle you to enter private property.
“It is unlawful to enter any lands under cultivation or enclosed by a fence, belonging to, or occupied by, another, or to enter any uncultivated or unenclosed lands, including lands temporarily inundated by waters flowing outside the established banks of a river, stream, slough, or other waterway, where signs forbidding trespass are displayed at intervals not less than three to the mile along all exterior boundaries and at all roads and trails entering such lands, for the purpose of discharging any firearm or taking or destroying any mammal or bird, including any waterfowl, on such lands without having first obtained written permission from the owner of such lands, or his agent, or the person in lawful possession thereof. Such signs may be of any size and wording, other than the wording required for signs under Section 2017, which will fairly advise persons about to enter the land that the use of such land is so restricted.” Section 2016, Fish and Game Code.

SAFETY: It is always unlawful to: Place on, or carry or possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle or conveyance or its attachments on any public road or other way open to the public: Hunt while intoxicated; Shoot at any game bird from a powerboat, sailboat, motor vehicle, or aircraft while under power or still moving from use of sail or motor. (See Section 251) Shoot any firearm from or upon a public road or highway.

DISCHARGING FIREARMS OR OTHER DEADLY WEAPONS SAFETY ZONE: It is unlawful for any person, other than the owner, person in possession of the premises, or a person having the express permission of the owner or person in possession of the premises, to hunt or to discharge while hunting, any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or any barn or other outbuilding used in connection therewith. The 150-yard area is a “safety zone.”

CALIFORNIA DFG WEBPAGE is at http://www.dfg.ca.gov

2008 Pheasant Forecast

Pheasant Meat Care and Recipes

HOW TO HUMANELY KILL WOUNDED QUAIL

Most hunters have developed some method to humanely kill a crippled bird. For those that are not sure, here is an easy-to- learn method that is quick and humane.

1) Place right or left thumb on base of neck where it hits the skull. Wrap the index finger underneath and grasp firmly.

2) With other hand, place a finger under the bill and lift sharply back toward your thumb. This breaks the neck.

FIELD DRESSING AND CARE

The pheasant should be dressed (gutted) as -soon as possible. It is a good idea to dress them as soon as there is a lull in the action. The basic method goes as follows:

1) Hold or place the pheasant belly side up and pluck the feathers from between the vent (anus) and the bottom of the breast bone. Pluck a few feathers at a time by pulling with sharp jerks toward the tail. Caution, the skin tears easily.

2) Make a small cut through the skin- across the area you just plucked. Make sure not to cut the guts.

3) With a small gutting hook or your finger reach up into the body cavity (toward the head) and gently pull out the guts. Pull or cut off the intestine and the vent.

4) Be sure to remove the lungs (the red-pink spongy stuff up in the body cavity). Also wipe or rinse out any blood. If you wash the body cavity out be sure to wipe it dry.

5) Next remove the crop. With the bird on its back, you will find a lump at the front of the breast at the base of the neck. Slit the skin and you will find a thin leathery pouch about the size of a large marble. It may be filled with seeds, grass, insects, and water, or nothing at all. Pull in out and discard.

You are done with the field dressing. This allows the bird to cool as quickly as possible, and removes as many sources of bacteria as possible. Small numbers of these bacteria promote aging, but large numbers will spoil the bird quickly. It is always important to get the birds cooled down and kept cold as soon as possible. It is especially so during the early part of the season when it can be quite hot. So get the birds on ice quickly. It is also important not to let them get wet in the ice chest. Water promotes the contamination and growth of bacteria.

ALWAYS KEEP THE BIRDS AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE - DIRT AND FLIES INCREASES CHANCES OF SPOILAGE.

DO NOT LEAVE PHEASANT IN GAME BAG, TRUNK OR DIRECT SUNLIGHT.

When you get home, remove all internal organs that may still be in the bird. This includes the heart. kidneys, and the wind pipe. The next task is to pluck the birds. The bird can be skinned very easily, but the skin should be left on because it adds flavor and helps keep the meat moist  when cooking

There are two methods of plucking pheasant. The dry method involves simply pulling a pinch full of feathers at a time toward the tail of the bird (with the grain). However, it is not uncommon to tear the skin when doing this. The second method, wet plucking, makes it easier to pluck without tearing the skill

To wet pluck you need a good sized pot of hot water (about 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit) filled about half way. The water should be deep enough to allow complete immersion of the pheasant. Dunk one pheasant at a time for about one minute. Remove from the water and pluck the feathers. Wipe both the outside and inside of the bird dry. Cut off the feet at the first joint above the feet, and the head. Place in refrigerator if you are going to eat it soon, or freeze it.

If you dry Pluck, wipe the body cavity dry if internal organs were not ruptured. If they were, you should rinse Out the body cavity with water and wipe dry.

STORAGE

If the pheasant are not going to be eaten within about a week, they should be frozen using one of the following methods:

1) Freeze them in water. For example: Place cleaned pheasant in a large carton. Fill with water to within 1/2 - inch of the top crease of the flat sides. Staple the top shut and label with  contents and date frozen. They will keep this way almost until next season.

2) Ziplock bags - place cleaned birds in bag and squeeze out the air and seal. Warning: if water gets onto the seal it may fail when freezing. This will result in freezer bum. You should check to see if the seal held.

3) Tightly double wrap the pheasant in heavy butcher paper and label with date and contents.

If they are going to be consumed immediately or within a week the cleaned and dry pheasant should be placed in a scaled container in the refrigerator (plastic wrap or re-sealable plastic container).

AGING

You do not have to age pheasant to have a fine meal, but to get the most out of them and if you like flavorful, tender game, you should age it. It has been found through taste tests on game that well aged meat was always rated the highest for taste, texture and tenderness. The gamey taste and tenderness of meat is caused by the breakdown of muscle tissue by certain bacteria. These same bacteria will cause spoilage of the meat if they become to numerous. This is usually recognized by a strong off-odor. The French do not consider their game sufficiently aged until it is in a condition most of us would consider rotten. Another type of bacteria can cause food poisoning, but does not grow in cold places like your refrigerator. Therefore, so long as you age your quail in the refrigerator you don't have to worry very much about food poisoning.

Aging of upland game can be done nicely in your refrigerator. Place cleaned - dry pheasant in a sealed container into the refrigerator (plastic wrap or other airtight container). They can be left there up to about 7 days (at 47 degrees Fahrenheit or less). The longer you leave them, the more gamey the taste. Birds left over 7 days may become too ripe. How long it takes to get to your favorite level of gaminess depends upon several factors:

1) How warm it was in the field. In hot weather they can spoil in a day.

2) How quickly you cooled them down. The faster the better.

3) How well they were cleaned and how badly they were shot up - Poorly cleaned or badly shot-up pheasant will age very quickly. Whenever shot has passed through the gut and into the meat aging will occur much more quickly there. These pheasant should not be aged more than three or four days before eating.

4) The temperature at which they were aged. The higher above freezing, the faster they age.

The aging process begins as soon as you kill them. Therefore, birds bagged, cleaned, and placed in the refrigerator all on the same day will take longer to age, or keep in the refrigerator longer than one bagged Saturday, cleaned and put in the refrigerator on Sunday night. The best way to tell when the game has reached a desired level of aging is by smell. It will take some experimentation to familiarize yourself with the smell of meat that has aged to your liking.

Pheasant and Wild Rice
Serves: 6
1 cup raw wild rice
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms
2 1/2 cups water
Water chestnuts
2 pheasants, cut up, floured and browned
1 pkg. instant onion soup mix
Mix rice, canned soups, water, mushrooms and water chestnuts in 9x13 glass casserole. Add pheasant. Sprinkle with onion soup mix. Cover lightly with foil. Bake 2-2 1/2 hours at 300 degrees.

Honey Baked Pheasant
Serves: 4
Legs and breast of 1 pheasant, skinned
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 cups honey
1 cup butter
salt and pepper to taste
Fillet breast and bone the thighs. Cut into approx. same thickness pieces. Season the flour with salt and pepper and dredge the pheasant. Dust pheasant pieces with onion powder. Melt 3/4 cup butter in skillet over medium heat. Brown pheasant pieces and place in a lightly oiled 9x13 glass casserole. Sprinkle with parsley. Add honey and 1/4 cup butter to the skillet. Mix well until butter is melted, then pour over the pheasant (should come about halfway up on the pheasant pieces). Seal the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes at 325 degrees.

Pheasant Paprika
Serves: 4-6
8 slices bacon, cut up
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups instant mashed potato flakes
1 1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 lbs. pheasant pieces
1/4-1/2 cup pheasant stock or chicken broth
2 tabs butter
2 tabs flour
2/3 cup milk
1 tab paprika
1-1 1/2 cups sour cream
Hot cooked egg noodles

In medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until it just begins to brown. Add onion. Cook and stir until onion is tender. Remove from heat. Remove bacon and onion from skillet; set aside; reserve drippings. In large plastic food storage bag, combine potato flakes, 1 1/2 tsp. paprika and salt; shake to mix. Add pheasant, a few piece at a time, to bag; shake to coat. In reserved drippings, brown pheasant pieces over medium high heat. Add 1/4 cup stock to pan. Reduce heat; cover. Simmer until tender, 25 to 40 minutes, adding the additional 1/4 cup stock to pan during cooking if necessary.

To prepare sauce: In 1 qt saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour. Blend in 1 cup stock. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in milk, 1 tabs. Paprika and reserved bacon and onion. Cook and stir until hot. Pour sauce over cooked pheasant in skillet. Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat; skim fat. With slotted spoon, transfer pheasant to serving platter; keep warm. Stir in sour cream into mixture in skillet. Cook over low heat until just heated; do not boil. Pour sauce over pheasant. Serve with hot cooked egg noodles.

Hunting and Scouting Tips

STRATEGY WITH A DOG

The key to any dog being of value to you, whether it is a pointer, flusher, or retriever, depends upon control. A dog under poor control is more likely to cause you trouble than be of any enjoyment or service to you. The greatest asset that a dog can be to a California pheasant hunter, besides companionship, is as a retriever. Pheasants are not too hard to find without a dog, but finding and retrieving downed pheasants can be very difficult.

The strategy is to start by letting the dog range freely and find fresh scent. Dogs of the pointing breeds are useful here. Once the dog has found some pheasants and come to point, the hunters must quickly decide on a strategy and maneuver into position. How well the pheasant holds depends largely on how good the cover is they are hiding in and whether they have been shot at recently. If the cover is poor or the pheasant has been hunted recently, they will most likely not hold for very long, if at all. In most cases, it is therefore a good idea to move quickly to where the dog is on point.

Anticipate that pheasants always seem to be aware of the location of every member of the hunting party, and will flush in a manner and direction to put the greatest amount of distance and obstacles between the hunters and themselves in the least amount of time. They will also try to head toward the thickest, most impenetrable cover nearby. If this is your situation, try to position yourselves either to prevent them from getting to this cover, or to at least get a shot before they bury themselves in it. Once everyone is in position and the pheasant is still holding, it can then be flushed

STRATEGY WITHOUT A DOG

There is no question, hunting pheasants with a good dog is the best way to go. However, there are a good many of us that for one reason or another must get by without a canine companion. For those of us in this situation, there is still hope, although there are several things that generally cause problems when hunting pheasant without a dog. One is finding pheasants initially and then after they have flushed. Another is finding a pheasant once you have finally managed to knock one down. The solution to the first is to know something about the behavior of pheasants. The solution to the second involves concentration and discipline.

The first step is to locate a pheasant, this goes for persons both with and without a dog. There are two keys to this puzzle: one is cover, the other is water. When given the space and time, pheasant prefer to run away rather than fly. So if you spot a pheasant running on the ground ahead of you, you have to keep up with them. Otherwise they will disappear like ghosts, But before you head out after them at a frenzied pace, it is wise to take a moment or two to think out a strategy.

One of the most frustrating things about hunting without a dog is finding downed pheasants. With a little concentration and discipline, this can largely be avoided. There are a pair of rules that must be followed to avoid losing birds.

The first rule is to ask yourself  WHERE WILL THAT BIRD LAND WHEN I ROLL IT? This question should be asked as you are raising your shotgun and tracking the bird; the question has to be answered before you smack that trigger. It does your body and the resource no good if you land a bird in the middle of a blackberry patch. A dog might be able to retrieve it, you won't! This question is especially important if you are having one of those all-to-common days where you are not quite on and are knocking down cripples. If you shoot only when they cross open areas, you are much more likely to follow and find cripples. The thing to remember about cripples is that they will fly or run to the nearest, nastiest cover, and the further they are from it when hit the less likely they are to get to it. Trying to answer this question while they are flying all about is not easy, but it will help improve your recovery rate and leave you much more satisfied. Mistakes will be made, but with practice you will improve and you won't come home with a body that looks like it's been through a shredder.

The second rule is MARK YOUR BIRD. The instant you pull the trigger on that first bird, your mind should be focused on the following series of questions:

Is the bird dead? If not, shoot it again. Live pheasants will hit the ground running if they can and disappear quickly. If the bird is still alive when it hits the ground, DO NOT take your eyes off of it. Do not even think about taking a shot at another bird. Immediately head over there and get that bird. Do not shoot the bird on the ground if you are within 15 yards of it, this is unsafe and will only destroy the bird. Humanely dispatch the bird upon retrieval.

  If it is dead, where is it falling? Don't take your eyes off of it until it hits the ground, and don't move. Note the landmark nearest to where you think it landed. Next note where you are standing. This will come in handy if you can't find the bird initially and need to replay the shot in your mind, which only works well from the original location.

Are you positive the bird is dead and you have it well marked? If you can answer yes to both of these questions, you now have the choice of going for another shot or retrieving the downed bird. It is always wisest to retrieve each pheasant first before shooting another. You will be amazed at how often a "stone dead" pheasant that landed on bare ground 50 feet from the nearest clump of grass disappears on you. The same set of questions should be answered for every pheasant you shoot at. If you do shoot a second or third pheasant before retrieving any of them, start with the most recent one shot because it is usually the easiest to find. Finding at least one of them is better than none, and gives you confidence that they can be found.

Once you have worked a field and you are not able to find them anymore, calling can sometimes produce a little more action. Find a spot where you can sit down and see some openings around cover. Give a few calls every few minutes. This can be done by mouth or with a call. It may take as long as 30 minutes or more to get any responses, so patience is necessary. You will first see them creeping along or through nearby cover. When you get them close enough, stand up quickly and they will usually take to the air. If they start running, rush toward them to get them into the air. It is tempting to "ground sluice" them, but this is not sporting and usually results in badly shot-up pheasants.

LOCATING DOWNED PHEASANT

DEAD PHEASANT

You are standing in the area where you know the dead pheasant fell, but you don't see it. Now what? Look for loose feathers on the ground. Feathers are almost always left where they hit the ground. However, there often is another group of feathers dropped by a pheasant when shot that can be misleading. The reason they can be misleading is that the bird often travels a considerable distance beyond where it was hit, and if there is even the slightest breeze the feathers can drift a considerable distance from where it might be. The two groups can usually be told apart by where the feathers are found and how tightly the feathers are grouped.

The feathers left on the ground where the bird lands are usually tightly bunched. Feathers from the in-air hit are usually found widely scattered and on top of shrubbery. Don't expect to find the pheasant sitting right there among the feathers. Most often they bounce or roll a few feet from the point of impact with the ground. When you find these feathers remember the direction it was heading when you rolled it. Search the area beyond the feathers in the same direction. If you have searched this area with no success, double the distance beyond the feathers and search again. They usually travel further than you think they did. It is not unusual to spend 30 minutes searching for a single downed bird. You owe it to the bird to keep trying.

CRIPPLED PHEASANT

When you knock down a crippled pheasant it is your moral and ethical obligation to retrieve and humanely dispatch the bird as quickly as possible. The problem is that finding crippled pheasants is commonly difficult, and this is the single most frustrating aspect of hunting without a good dog. The key to successfully finding a cripple is to get to where you knocked it down as quickly as you safely can.

The first thing you do before taking a step is to reload your gun and put the safety on. Flying cripples should always be shot again, as your chances of finding one of these if you don't knock it down near you is next to nothing. Assuming you have lost visual contact with the cripple and you are standing where you thought it should be, the first thing you should do is to listen for any sounds that might reveal its location. If you are met only with the sound of your pounding heart, look around for feathers. These will often give you the area and direction in which to look.

There are several things to keep in mind when looking for a cripple. One is that if the bird landed on sloping terrain, look downhill from where you think it landed. They almost always tumble or run down slope. Two, look for the nearest cover around where the bird landed. They may crawl into it and tuck themselves underneath whatever they can. Three, look down any holes in the area as quail will often try to hide in these holes. Don't forget to look under the edges of rocks or other debris.

CAUTION: All of the places you should be looking at to find a crippled pheasants are also good  places to find rattlesnakes! Do be careful and never stick your hand into places you cannot see into.

When you do get close or find it, the pheasants often try to run or fly away. There is a great temptation to shoot it as it runs away, but don't unless it is at least 15 yards away or going to dive into cover that you will not be able to retrieve it from. The reason for this is that at close range there is danger of a ricochet and destroying the bird beyond use. If it is flying away, do shoot it again, but let it get a least 15 yards away before shooting. Again, shooting at it any closer will just make the bird inedible.

CAUTION: Your gun should always be on safety when looking for downed birds. Always keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction when trying to catch a cripple. If the bird cannot fly it is best to unload the gun and put it down so that you can use two hands.

Because the pheasant's primary defenses are hiding and running, hunters profit from working cover slowly and methodically. A zig-zag style of hunting is not only effective on birds hiding in heavy cover, but helps to interrupt the run-ahead, circle, and run-back tactics used by other pheasants. Quick, accurate marking of downed game also helps hunters find birds. Hunting partners who assume responsibility for marking each other's downed birds increase their chances of finding them by "homing in" along two lines of sight. Solo hunters can mark the spot where a bird drops, then work around it in ever-increasing circles, pausing frequently; often a brief pause is enough to make a wounded bird break cover.

In row crops, a wounded pheasant may run straight down a row without the usual zig-zagging, and carefully approaching the field's end often produces the bird. Many hunters vary their techniques as the season progresses and weather changes. Often overlooked but highly effective is early morning hunting in small grain stubble, a favorite cover type of roosting pheasants. Early in the season especially, careful and quiet movement into this cover at first morning light can provide excellent hunting. Overcast or drizzly days are especially good; in these conditions birds remain longer in the secure, comfortable cover.

Late in the season, grain stubble can be productive on overcast evenings or just before a storm breaks. Birds seem to respond to a falling barometer and move into roosting cover early. As the season progresses, pheasants still retain their early morning and late afternoon feeding habits, but spend more mid-day loafing time in heavier weedy pockets and fencerows.

A hunter needs to know the difference between a hen and rooster pheasant before he or she pulls the trigger. Most of the time, the identity of the bird flushing at your feet is obvious. There are situations, though, where it is good to hesitate or hold back. Birds flushing into a rising or setting sun are often a tough call. It's not always possible to hunt pheasants with the sun at your back, but it's a good idea. When your eyes can't make a positive ID on a pheasant, your ears might be able to lend some help. Rooster pheasants often crow or cackle when they launch. Hens are silent except for the rush of their beating wings. Early in the pheasant season, juvenile roosters can be fully colored or hardly colored at all.  

Pheasant hunting is a relatively safe sport. However, it is imperative that to remain a safe sport that certain safety rules be adhered to without exception. When you take a newcomer, especially children, into the hunting experience, part of your responsibility as a hunter is to teach that person proper safety. The following rules are good ones to LIVE by:

THE ELEVEN COMMANDMENTS OF PHEASANT HUNTING SAFETY

1) Always treat the gun as loaded.
2) Never have a loaded gun except when hunting.
3) Always make sure that the barrel and action are clear of obstructions.
4) Always carry your gun so dig you can control the direction of the muzzle, even if you stumble.
5) Always keep the safety on until the gun is brought to shoulder.
6) Always make sure your target is a quail and your backstop is not a hunter or a dog.
7) Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot.
8) Never leave guns or ammunition within reach of children or careless adults.
9) Never climb trees or fences with a loaded gun.
10) Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
11) Never drink alcohol or take other mood-altering drugs before or during a hunt.

Always know where all members of your hunting party are. The more members in your party the more difficult this will be. It is recommended to keep hunting parties as small as possible, preferably two, but no more than three. If you are with a large party, try to spread out or split into several groups of two.

If your party has found some pheasants, determine in which directions it would be unsafe to shoot. Each person should wear some safety orange, a little is better than none. Camouflage clothing is not necessary for pheasant hunting, they know where you are regardless of what you wear. Take extra precautions during deer season. Wear plenty of safety orange and talk with your buddy while hunting.

If you have to chase down a crippled bird, make sure your gun is on safety. Almost all good pheasant country is good rattlesnake country. Be careful around brush and water. When hunting in the deserts of California, always be sure to carry plenty of water. If you are hunting with a dog, make sure to carry additional water for your dog. It also pays to avoid hunting during the mid-day hours when it can be quite hot. Be prepared for cold temperatures at night.

HUNTER ETHICS

Hunting in this state and country is not a right, but a privilege. In order to preserve this privilege, it is essential that each pheasant hunter, as a representative of all pheasant hunters, conduct him or herself in an ethical manner. Without the public's support even if this support is in the form of indifference, we could lose our cherished privilege. The following are some suggestions:

1) Respect other's property: don't trespass without permission; don't litter, leave gates as you find them; if driving on someone's property, drive slowly, and don't drive off the roads; don't harass livestock; and do offer to repair or compensate for damage you may have caused.

2) Be kind and courteous: don't interfere with other hunters, campers or bird watchers; and always be helpful - whether it be telling a landowner about a hole in his fence, or offering to help fix the fence.

3) Conduct oneself as a sportsman: always hunt safely! always follow the regulations - nobody likes a game hog and don't shoot birds of prey (this includes Cooper's hawks).

Pheasant Hunting Gear List

Trespass Permission Slips For Private Land Use & Emergency Alert Sheets

You'll need Acrobat Reader to read and print these .pdf files, you can get Acrobat at

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Click the link below to get the trespass permission slip you can print.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/permission-slip-1.pdf

Click the link below for an Emergency Alert sheet you can print out and leave on your vehicle, with your family or friends.

http://www.jesseshunting.com/emergency-alert-notice.pdf

The following publications provide useful information for those wanting to hunt quail in California:

California Upland Game Magazine .... new 16 page full magazine published yearly covering quail, pheasant, wild turkeys, chukar, grouse, rabbits and squirrels. Call PH # 916-653-4263 to receive it in the mail, or pick it up at your nearest regional office.
California Game and Fish .... Excellent monthly magazine for $14.97 yearly. PH# 1-770-953-9222.
Fishing and Hunting News .... A Whole Year! (22 Issues) of F&H News ­ only $39.94. PH #  1­800­488­2827 Hours: Monday ­ Friday ­­­­ 8:30 am to 5:00 pm PDT
Western Birds .... A great 8 page newsletter published by Jim Matthews, with maps and insider info on all kinds of upland birds. $100.00 per year. Get 2 or 3 of your buddies to split the cost and you're into the birds. P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or call Jim Matthews at PH #1-909-887-3444. Email is .
Western Outdoor News .... Fine weekly newspaper with maps and tons of timely reports. $36.95 for 52 issues. Ph# 1-714-546-4370. Call the 'Hunter's Hotline' to give your story for publishing. Ph # 1-714-546-4370 ext. 48 or fax: 1-714-662-3486 or e-mail: wonmail@aol.com
Wing Beat News .... To receive the Region 2 ( Sacramento Valley) edition of Wing Beat News please call (916) 846-3315 or write to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley, CA 95948 and request to be placed on the mailing list.

To receive the Region 4 (Central San Joaquin Valley) edition of Wing Beat News please contact the Los Banos Complex at (209) 826-0463.

To receive the Region 5 (Southern/Eastern Sierra), this area includes the counties of Mono, Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Imperial, edition of Wing Beat News please contact the editor, Scott Harris, in the Long Beach, Region 5 Office at 1-562-590-5100.

Desert Wildlife Unlimited

DWU's work in the southern California desert has stretched over nearly three decades and includes major guzzler and water source work that has helped maintain desert wildlife populations, including mule deer, dove, quail, pheasant and bighorn sheep.

NEWS

Desert Wildlife Unlimted has planted 27 fields near Niland for hunting. Here is a map of those fields.

You'll need Acrobat Reader to read and print this .pdf files, you can get Acrobat at

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

http://www.jesseshunting.com/pdf/dwu-fields-imperial-co.pdf

TO JOIN DWU

Desert Wildlife Unlimited
Imperial Valley Chapter
4780 Highway 111
Brawley, California 92227
Leon Lesicka 760-344-2793

$10.00 1 year
$100.00 Lifetime

Include: Name, Mailing Address and Phone#

Pheasant Links

Ammo

Acorn Naturalists .... Pheasant calls.
Haydel's Game Calls .... Pheasant calls.
Homemade Quail Call .... Pheasant calls.
Jone's Calls .... Pheasant call.
Lohman Calls .... Pheasant calls.
Primos .... Pheasant calls.
Scott's Dog Supply .... Pheasant calls.
Sureshot Game Calls .... Pheasant call.

Chokes

Ballistic Specialties .... Angle Porting chokes.
Briley Chokes ....
Carlson's ....
Gun Docc. .... Custom turkey gun work.
Hastings Chokes .... PH# 913-632-3169
Johnny's Shotgun Chokes and Forcing Cones ....
Kick's .... They make the famous "Gobblin' Thunder" choke
Patternmaster ....
Seminole Gunworks .... Seminole specializes in the making of precision choke tubes for most makes and model of shotguns.
Trulock Chokes .... Manufacturers of superior shotgun chokes.

If you know of any other dog kennels or trainers please e-mail us at and we will update the list.

Bryce Mann's Gundogs & Guide Service .... Gundog training near Visalia CA. JHO Pro Staff
Foothill Brittanys .... Very Birdy, Natural Pointers and Retrievers (Land and Water).
Gameland Kennels Dog Training Center .... Patrick Callaghan specializing in Spaniels, Retrievers and Pointing dogs. Rattlesnake avoidance classes, boarding, obedience. 5800 Bluff, Norco, CA. 91760-0458, PH# 1-909-735-3251.
Grouse Mountain Brittanys .... John & Debbe Coyle. Redding, California. PH# 530-242-5801.
Gun Dog Supply .... Lots of gear for the upland hunter.
High Desert Kennels .... Bird dog training for 30 years. Family owned and run. Jimmy Berneathy Owner/Trainer.
High Test Retrievers. .... 1021 Lower Honcut Road, Oroville, California 95966
Hunting Dog Trainer .... Carl Porter. We are the complete hunting and field trial dog training program. We are located in the beautiful Southern California High Desert community of Lucerne Valley California. Our training grounds include our own 20 acres of real "Wild Bird" high desert habitat with quail and chukar available year round and pheasants upon request with thousands of unfenced wild acres surrounding our facility.
Lowell's Gundogs .... Gun dog training in the high desert near Victorville CA.
Reibar Kennel .... Grady Istre's excellence in dog training. 7480 Domingos Rd. Lompoc Ca. 93436, PH# 1-805-736-5309, e-mail reibar@impulse.net
Scott's Dog Supply .... Quail calls and dog gear.
Starlight Kennels .... Paul Cacciatori. We understand that hunting is more than a hobby, and that your dog is more than an animal. It's a lifestyle for which we share our clients' passion. That's why we devote so much to providing a complete array of hunting dog services so you can rely on Starlight as the single source for all your hunting dog needs.
UplandBirdDog.com .... Bill West. Information for bird dog and hunting enthusiasts.

Gear

2nd Amendment Sports .... Stores in Bakersfield CA. and Tucson AZ.
Auto Life .... Sporting goods. 901 N Carpenter Rd. Modesto, California 95387. (209) 574-1400 or (800) 499-1004. service@autolifeinc.com
Bass Pro Shop .... One of the biggest hunting and fishing gear suppliers. Stop by one of their 'Outdoor World' stores, you'll be amazed. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Brigade Quartermasters .... Outdoor gear, military issue gear, GPS, everything you need.
Cabela's .... One of the biggest retailers of outdoor and hunting gear. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Gun Dog Supply .... Lots of gear for the upland hunter.
JHO Online Store .... Vest, calls, hydration packs, clothing, boots, dog supplies, gun supplies and much more.
Lacrosse .... Excellent boots and waders.
Mother Game Vests .... Great vests for upland hunting.
Quilomene .... Great vests for upland hunting.
Ranger Joe's .... Military, Law enforcement and outdoor gear.
REI ....The biggest outdoor store on the net.
Schnee's Boot's ....These guys make the best cold weather elk boots I've ever owned. I like the 'air bob' soles.
Shomer-tec .... Law enforcement and military equipment. Box 28070, Bellingham, WA. 98228 ph# 360-733-6214. Call for free catalog.
Sprague's Sports .... Yuma AZ.
Turner's Outdoorsman .... Southern California's best hunting and fishing store.
Uncle Lee's Wing Supply .... PH# 1-800-388-9464 for your free catalog. They have GPS, clothing, and turkey and duck hunting equipment.
U.S. Cavalry .... World's finest military and adventure equipment.
Yellow Mart .... 82740 Miles Ave., Indio, CA 92201 Ph# 760-347-1107
Yellow Mart .... 228 W Hobsonway, Blythe, CA 92225. PH# 760-922-4215.

Guides

Bryce Mann's Gundogs & Guide Service .... Gundog training near Visalia CA. JHO Pro Staff

Guns

Beretta ....
Brownells .... Everything you need for your guns.
Browning ....
Ithaca ....
Knight Muzzleloaders ....
Mossberg .... Shotguns and rifles.
Remington ....
Ruger ....
Weatherby ....
Winchester ....

Hunting Clubs and Ranches

If you know of any other pheasant hunting clubs or ranches please e-mail us at and we will update the listing. This listing is for informational purposes only. No endorsement is implied from JHO. CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!

Abatti Farms .... will give you access to prime asparagus/alfalfa fields which house 100's of wild pheasants. Most of the Abatti fields are south of Interstate 8 in Imperial County in southern California. Ph# (760) 352-0543.
Antelope Valley Sportsman's Club .... Location: Roughly 15 miles west of Lancaster. Acreage: 1,200 acres of farmland, natural upland and meadows. Hunts offered: Dove, quail, pheasant and chukar. Memberships: Annual memberships start at $650, which includes 20 pheasants; family memberships are available for $795, which includes 25 pheasants. Corporate memberships are also available. Memberships benefits: Access to hunting grounds five days a week from October to March; access to clubhouse; dove, quail and chukar hunting limited to members only. Day hunts: Open fields on weekends only where you pay $45 for two pheasants and one chukar. Other hunts also available, including $100 for a private-land hunt for three pheasants and three chukar. Camping: Allowed on club compound, but no hookups or facilities are provided. Reservations: At least two days before desired hunt. Contact: 1-805-724-1291.
Bashford's Hot Mineral Spa RV Park .... Full hookups and a special rate for JHO members here. Nice cool swimming pool to relax in after your shoot. Just north of Niland, CA. JHO Sponsor.
Birds Landing Hunting Preserve .... PO Box 5, Birds Landing, CA. 94512. PH# (707) 374-5092 Fax (707) 374-5092. Contact: Dan Cirillo. 60 miles NE of San Francisco. Established 1987. 1,200 acres. Public member on site clubhouse, meals, clays. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available. Packages: 1/2 day, 1-120 guns.
Black Point Game Bird Club .... 7711 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma, CA. 94954. PH# (707) 763-0076. Contact: Mike Sutsos. 25 miles N of San Francisco. Established 1964. 1,000 acres . Members only on site clubhouse, meals, clays. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available.
Cahoon Pheasant Club .... 31249 E. Combs Rd., Escalon, CA. 95320. PH# (209) 605-7260 (209) 605-7260. Contact: David Cahoon/Tony Ragone. 3 miles N of Escalon. Established 1990. 900 acres. Public member on site clubhouse, meals, clays, Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant. Dogs available.
Camanche Hills Hunting Preserve .... 2951 Curran Rd., Ione, CA. 95640. PH# (209) 763-5270. Contact: Larry L. Skinner. 80 miles E of San Francisco. Established 1981. 1,500 acres. Public member on site clubhouse, lodging, meals, clays. Shoots: field, driven. Birds: pheasant, chukar, ducks. Dogs available. Packages: 1 day.
Camp 5 Outfitters.... Hogs, pheasants and chukar on thousands of prime acres near Paso Robles and Bradley in Central California. Info at ph #831-386-0727.
Camp Gober .... Pheasant, dove, duck and goose hunting on the Colorado River in Southern California. Contact Ron, PH# 1-619-622-1908.
Circle HH Hunting Preserve .... HCR#1, Box 512, Nipton, CA. 92364. PH# (702) 642-9405, 5pm-10pm/ Contact: Fred Hymes/Jessie Hymes. 78 miles S of Las Vegas, NV - 100 miles E of Barstow/20 miles N. I-40. Established 1988. 200 acres. Public member on site clubhouse, meals, clays. Shoots: field. Birds: dove, quail, pheasant, chukar. Dogs available. Packages: 1/2 Day, 1-6 guns. Circle HH Hunting Preserve is located in unspoiled country, surrounded by California's East Mojave Natural Preserve Area just 78 miles south of Las Vegas, 50 miles west of Laughlin, with interstate access off I-15 and I-40. We have committed ourselves to provide excellent hunting of pheasant, chukar and quail on a preserve that incorporates habitat improvement. An altitude of nearly 5,000 feet presents changing temperatures throughout the day, and hunters should dress accordingly. The Preserve is set up to accommodate six (6) hunters per 1/2 day reservation hunt.
Clear Creek Sports Club .... 3971 Keefer Rd., Chico, CA. 95926. PH# (530) 343-9263. Contact: Bob or Janet Henman. 45 miles N of Sacramento. Established 1986. 1,000 acres . Public member. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available. Packages: 1 day, 4-60 guns NAGA.
Eagle Peak Ranch and Pheasant Club .... Pheasant, chukar and spring turkey hunting on 120 acres near San Diego. Manager is Jason Caringella. Ph #619-448-1679.
Flying D Ranch Pheasant Hunting Club .... PO Box 1242, Jamul, CA. 91935. PH# (619) 468-3857. Contact: Ken Davis, Owner/Mgr. 22 miles SE of San Diego. Acres 1,200. Public member on site clubhouse, lodging, meals, clays. Shoots: field. Birds: quail, pheasant, chukar. Dogs available. Packages: 1/2 day, 1-30 guns.
Four Winds Pheasant Club .... 2806 May Ave., Redondo Beach, CA. 90278. PH# (310) 370-2238. Contact: Sam Elder. 75 miles SE of Los Angeles. Established 1993. 155 acres. Public member on site lodging, clays. Shoots: field. Birds: quail, pheasant, chukar. Dogs available. Packages: 1 day, 1-36 guns NAGA.
Fun In The Sun Hunting Club. .... Quail, chukar dove and pheasants. El Centro Ca. PH# 760-352-3648.
G&G Pheasant Shoot & Sporting Clays .... PO Box 116, Gazelle, CA. 96034. PH# (530) 435-2309. Contact: John or Dot Giorgi. 40 miles S of Oregon Border off of I-5, near Mt. Shasta. Established 1980. 750 acres. Public member on site clubhouse, clays. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available.
Gaines Ranch .... PO Box 132, Durham, CA 95938. PH# (530) 882-4607 (530) 882-4607 Contact: Fred Gaines. 60 mi. N of Sacramento. Established 1991. Acres 1,600. Public member on site lodging, meals. Shoots: field, blinds. Birds: dove, quail, pheasant, chukar, ducks, geese. Dogs available. Packages: 1/2 day, 1-8 guns
Golden Ram Sportsman Club .... 840 Hinckley Rd., #250, Burlingame, CA 94010. PH# (650) 692-6670 10-5, M-F Fax (650) 692-6670 Contact: Nick Tacito/Lou Federico. 10 mi. NW of Sacramento. Established 1970. Acres 3,000. Member only on site clubhouse, meals. Shoots: Field birds quail, pheasant, chukar, Huns, ducks, geese. Dogs available. Packages: 1/2 day, 25-50 guns.
Greenhead Land .... 1411 Grove St., Alameda, CA 94501. PH# (510) 865-4392 Fax (510) 865-4392 Contact: Ray Lewis. 30 mi. W of Yuba City. Established 1922. Acres 700. Member only on site clubhouse, lodging, meals, clays. Shoots: Field, blinds birds dove, pheasant, ducks, geese. Dogs available.
Guns & Roosters Hunting Preserve .... 31661 Rd. 160, Visalia, CA. 93292. PH# (559) 798-1966, after 5pm. Contact: Dave Hamilton. 45 miles S of Fresno. Established 1991. 2,100 acres . Public member. Shoots: field. Birds: quail, pheasant, chukar. Dogs available. Packages: 1/2 day, 2-35 guns. NAGA.
H&H Gun Club .... 3971 Keefer Rd., Chico, CA. 95973. PH# (530) 343-9263. Contact: Bob Henman. 10 miles south of Chico. 1,100 acres . Member only on site clubhouse. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available.
Hastings Island Hunting Preserve ..... 7758 Hastings Island Road. Rio Vista, CA. 94571. PH# 707-678-3325, 8am-4pm. Fax PH# 707) 678-3325. 50 miles E of San Francisco . Established 1969. 4,700 acres. Member on site clubhouse, meals, clays. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available HDW NAGA.
Henman's Pheasant Ranch .... 3971 Keefer Rd., Chico, CA. 95926. PH# (530) 343-9263. Contact: Bob Henman. 15 miles S of Chico. Established 1983. Public member on site clubhouse. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available. Packages: 1 day.
High Desert Hunt Club .... European pheasant shoot, fashioned after the 18th century sport in Europe. P.O. Box 89, Gorman, Ca. PH# 1-888-425-HUNT. Contact: Lisa McNamee. 60 mi. N of Downtown Los Angeles. Acres 8,000. Public, member on site clubhouse, meals. Shoots: field, tower. Birds: quail, pheasant, chukar. Dogs available HDW. Packages 1/2 day, 1-60 guns NAGA. Bird processing. Brochure available. Corporate hunts. Half, full and multi-day hunts. Experienced guides. Excellent upland game habitat. High Desert Hunt Club is located just 60 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. We have committed ourselves to provide excellent hunting for Wild/Native Valley Quail and top quality, flight conditioned, released Pheasant, Chukar, and Bobwhite Quail. Our professional staff is trained to cater to each unique need; business entertainment or individual.
Lakeview Farms, Inc. .... 5490 Riosa Rd. West, West, Lincoln, CA. 95648. PH# (530) 633-9112. Contact: Donald Norris. 20 miles NE of Sacramento. 1,000 acres. Member only on site clubhouse, lodging. Shoots: field, blinds. Birds: quail, pheasant, chukar, turkey, ducks, geese. Dogs available. NAGA.
Limit Out Duck and Pheasant Club .... is in the heart of the Delta with 2 miles of water front. The water ways here in the Delta attract ducks and geese and the grasslands provide excellent cover for pheasants. We have 6 duck ponds ranging in size from 6 to 20 acres.
Lone Pine Pheasant Club .... 430 N. Main St., Lone Pine, CA. 93545. PH# (760) 876-4595, 8am-3pm. Contact: Bruce Ivey. 200 mi. N of Los Angeles. Established 1988. 1,000 acres . Public member on site clubhouse, meals. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available HDW. Packages: 1 day, 1-12 guns NAGA.
Mills Shooting Preserve .... 19094 Jumper Ave., Buttonwillow, CA. 93206. PH# (805) 764-5000, 8am-5pm. Contact: Carl or Mary Mills. 150 mi. N of Los Angeles. Established 1956. 320 acres . Public member on site clubhouse. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs available HDW. Packages: 1/2 day.
On Point Gun Club .... 540 E. 11th St., Lincoln, CA. 95648. PH# (916) 645-8978. Contact: Jerry MacCoun. 12 miles W of Lincoln. Established 1990. Member only. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant. Dogs available. HDW.
Palomar Hunt Club .... Upland bird shooting in Association with My Country Club. Lake Henshaw CA.
Pheasant Patch Hunting Club .... 84-850 Avenue 58, Thermal, CA. 92274. PH# (760) 398-1103 (760) 398-1103. Contact: Jack Cotton. 20 miles E of Palm Springs. 120 acres . Member only. Shoots: field Birds: pheasant, chukar.
Pixley Lions Club Annual Pheasant Hunt .... South San Joaquin Valley between Bakersfield and Fresno. Permit hunting on posted land. Hunt every day of the season. Not a hunt club. Campsites available. P.O. Box 601, Pixley Ca. 93256. Ph# (559) 757-3076. E-mail Pheasant@Luskent.net
Quail Point Preserve .... Quail Point is a 1,700 acre licensed hunting preserve located 3 miles west of I-5 and 1/2 mile west of I-505 on Road 14 in the rolling foothills west of Zamora. The preserve is 30 minutes north of Sacramento & only 1 hour from the Bay Area. Quail Point consists of natural cover on CRP land offering ideal conditions for hunting bobwhite quail, chukar, and pheasant. PH# (530) 735-6217. 50 Birds, 30 Birds, 20 Birds, 10 Birds, custom hunts. Wednesday thru Sunday 8 am, 3 pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year's Day. Quail & chukar membership season, October 13, 2002, March 16, 2003. Pheasant, October 12, 2002, January 19, 2003. Membership cards must be used by above dates. Punched on release, no limit on harvest, no extra charge. Rental dogs available, bird cleaning facilities, corporate/group hunts. Offering breakfast & lunch on weekends. Catered BBQs for groups available. Hunts: Wednesday thru Sunday 8am, 3pm.
R&R Pheasant Club .... 460-305 Lakecrest Rd., Janesville, CA. 96114. PH# (530) 253-3410. Contact: Ron Blickenstaff. 65 miles N of Reno, NV. Established 1986. 500 acres . Public member. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar, ducks, geese. Dogs available, HDW. Packages: 1/2 day
Raahauges .... Duck and pheasant hunting, sporting clays, hunter safety classes. 5800 Bluff St., Norco Ca. 91760. (909) 735-2361 Sporting Clays: (909) 735-7981 Fax (909) 735-2361. Contact: Mike Raahauge. 35 miles E of Los Angeles. Acres 2,000. Public member on site clubhouse, clays Shoots: field., blinds. Birds: pheasant, chukar, ducks. Dogs available, HDW. Packages: 1 day, 1-50 guns NAGA .
Red Bank Ale & Quail Gamebird Club .... PO Box 8295, Red Bluff, CA. 96080. PH# (530) 529-9435, 8am-5pm. Contact: Brian Riley. 170 miles N of San Francisco. Established 1976. 5,000 acres. Public on site clubhouse, lodging, meals, clays. Shoots: field, blinds. Birds: dove, quail, pheasant, turkey. Dogs Available, HDW. Packages: 1 day, up to 22 guns.
Reibar Hunt Club .... 7480 Domingos Rd., Lompoc, CA. 93436. PH# (805) 736-5309. Contact: Grady Istre. 6 miles W of Boellton. 150 acres. Public member on site clubhouse, meals. Shoots: field. Birds: dove, pheasant, chukar. Dogs available.
Richmond Hunting Club .... We are a "non-profit" organization offering approximately 20,000 acres in California to hunt Upland Game and Water Fowl with several localized club houses. All hunting areas are posted and patrolled. You can be a member for a low initiation fee of $200 and seasonal dues of $375.
Rising Sun Hunting Preserve .... Located in beautiful Siskiyou County, California. Pheasants, chukars, quail, Hungarian Partridge, predators, bass trout. The Rising Sun Ranch is proud to present to the Sportsman a family owned & operated hunting & fishing preserve located at the base of the Cascade Mountain Range in extreme Northern California with a scenic panorama, tranquility, peacefulness and privacy. Take a look through our photo album to see some of the sights at our preserve. We offer lodging, guides & dogs. Special packages to members, family units & corporate hunts. This family-oriented preserve is run with the highest standards. Serious inquiries only, please.
Rock Springs Ranch and Lodge .... Pheasant and hogs. 11000 Old Hernandez Rd., Paicines, CA 95043. PH (800) 209-5175 Fax (800) 209-5175 Contact: Ken Range. 75 miles S of San Jose. Established 1994. Acres 19,00.0 Public on site lodging, meals, clays. Shoots: field, riven. Birds: dove, quail, pheasant, chukar, Huns. Dogs available, HDW. Packages: 1 day, 1-24 guns NAGA.
Romero Ranch .... PO Box 517, Likely, CA. 96116. PH# (916) 233-4938, 10-5. Contact: Chris or Rich Hamel. 125 miles N of Reno, NV. Established 1989. 1,68o acres. Public on site clubhouse, lodging, meals. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs Available, HDW. Packages: 1/2 day, 1-16 guns.
South Butte Gun Club .... 6790 South Butte Rd., Sutter, CA. 95982. PH# (530) 755-0524. Contact: Larry Mungier. 160 miles N of San Francisco. 4,000 acres. Public member on site clubhouse. Shoots: field. Birds: quail, pheasant, chukar, Huns, turkey. Dogs available, HDW. Packages: 1 day NAGA.
Southern California Pheasant Club .... 555 N. Bristol Ave., Los Angeles, CA. 90049. PH# (310) 472-0326. Contact: Richard Lane. 18 miles NW of Wasco. Established 1989. 400 acres. Members only on site clubhouse, lodging, meals. Shoots: field, blinds. Birds: dove, pheasant, chukar, ducks, geese. Dogs available, HDW. Packages: 1/2 day.
Stillwater Sportsmen's Club .... 7010 Hunting Club Rd., Anderson, CA. 96007. PH# (530) 365-6845. Contact: Doyle & Laurel Besecker. 160 miles north of Sacramento. 1,500 acres. Members only. Shoots: field, blinds. Birds: dove, quail, pheasant, chukar, Huns, turkey, ducks. Dogs Available,HDW.
Suisun Marsh Hunting Preserve .... PO Box 698, Fairfield, CA. 94533. PH# (707) 425-4158. Contact: Barney Bryan. 40 miles NW of San Francisco. Established 1972. 1,200 acres. Members only on site clubhouse. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant. Dogs Available, HDW .
Sundance Hunting Club .... 2599 Widgeon Lane, Durham, CA. 95938. PH# (530) 893-4335. Contact: David Schell. 60 miles north of Sacramento.1,200 acres. Public. Shoots: field, blinds. Birds: pheasant, ducks, geese. Dogs available.
West Valley Sportsmen .... PO Box 257, Gustine, CA. 95322. PH# (209) 634-1547 8-5 (209) 384-0784. Contact: Robert Kloepfer. 80 miles SE of San Francisco. Established 1987. 2,000 acres. Public member on site clubhouse, meals, clays. Shoots: field. Birds: pheasant, chukar. Dogs Available, HDW. Packages: 1/2 day, 1-60 guns.
Wilderness Unlimited .... 20974 Corsair Blvd., Hayward, CA. 94545. PH# (510) 785-4868 .Anytime Fax (510) 785-4868. Locations throughout CA and OR. 200,000 acres. Member only on site clubhouse. Shoots: field, blinds. Birds: dove, quail, pheasant, chukar, turkey, ducks, geese.

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