Missouri Pheasant Hunting
Missouri Pheasant Hunting Region
Optimistically it is written in some Missouri upland bird publications that pheasants are present north of HWY 70. It is more likely to find pheasants north of HWY 36 in Missouri. Missouri is known to have the least pheasant numbers of our three state (Iowa and Kansas) region where Mid-America Hunting Association has private land hunting.
Missouri pheasant hunting is limited as Missouri pheasant habitat is localized as is its pheasant population having low densities. Missouri upland bird hunting is for Bobwhite Quail with an occasional pheasant from its northern region.
Our wild Missouri pheasant hunts are north of highway 70 and some other small pockets located elsewhere in the state. The prime Missouri counties are the northern two tier counties along the Iowa state line.
Missouri populations are not as high compared to Kansas and the daily limit is 2. The significant difference between our Missouri pheasant hunts and that in Kansas are the larger number of quail coveys to be found. This makes Missouri the first choice for those hunters desiring a upland bird mix of upland bird bag with an emphasis on quail.
2010 Missouri hunting land available to Association hunters.
Missouri counties and the acreage available in that county for hunting.
Missouri Upland Bird Habitat
Typical upland bird habitat is the soft edge that sometimes runs for a good distance around fields, along creek bottoms and wood patches.
For the majority of upland bird hunters this state provides far more quail than ringneck. When the roosters are found it is on these seemingly small patches of cover along the field edge. For anyone accustomed to shooting quail the rooster on rise seems far too easy of a target. If one is missed it is largely due to surprise than shooting conditions.
While limited in range, ringneck habitat does offer some advantages that Kansas does not.
These advantages largely center on the habitat is predominately farm fields with only occasional CRP in tall grass. These farm fields are generally smaller as tree lined creeks and fence rows subdivide many of the farms.
Running bird dogs anywhere in this state will also set up many deer and turkey spots as the entire state holds both in very huntable populations. Those wanting to break a bird dog from pointing or running turkeys will find plenty of opportunity to do so.
Missouri upland bird season starts the first of November and runs to 15 January. This is one week earlier than Kansas and less than a week after Iowa opens the last Saturday in October. Kansas remains open through the end of January. Missouri allows for an overlapping hunt between neighboring states as well as a chance to hunt differing habitat.
All land is divided into units of property with a specified gun limit. Their purpose is to prevent too many hunters on too few acres and too many consecutive days.
The intended result is good day in the field working dogs on birds that have not been pressured whenever the member has time to hunt. The upland bird units also allow us to prevent hunters from excessively working any one unit.
As we are a business and not a hunting club we can ensure this as that is our assurance of returning memberships.
Missouri pheasant hunting option is not the best choice compared to our Kansas or Iowa. Missouri upland bird hunting is an acceptable mixed bag hunt in the northern reaches of the state for those more oriented toward quail rather than pheasant hunting.
For pheasants travel onto Kansas for the better pheasant hunting. Kansas has a four rooster/day limit and farm more pheasant friendly habitat. Kansas pheasant hunting info