There are no "wild" pheasants in Southern Illinois, and probably never were, due to climate.

However the State of illinois has a pheasant release program, where they release farm-raised pheasants in several state parks. Illinois hunters pay $25 per day for the ability to take two birds, (either sex)out-of-staters pay $35. Birds are released at 6 a.m. and hunting starts at 9 a.m. The hunts run for about 70 days, beginning in November.

On weekends the program fills, and one needs reservations. The weekdays almost never fill up, and one can just show-up. (An advantage of being retired.)

After I fill my two bird limit, I can put my shotgun back in the vehicle, and become a "free guide" for other dog-less hunters -- which provides me and my dogs additional action.

Its a decent program, and a great place to work one's dogs. Given that Illinois is not considered a pro-gun state, these pheasant release hunts are surprising. I hunt these park hunts about 20 days each fall.

We used to have a lot of wild quail in both Southern Illinois and Southern Missouri, but those numbers are way down. This Illinois pheasant program is a partial substitute.

Jerry Goldstein
St. Louis, MO