In these talks of wild versus preserves, unfortunately the released birds are not just in the east. It is also in the mid-west and in the big pheasant states namely South Datkota as well. On all of the Outdoor Network shows of bird hunting, I think I saw one where they were actually hunting wild pheasants. They said so, and I believe it because most of the birds they were putting up were hens. Now that is reality. On these shows where everyone is talking loudly and carrying on and the dog goes on point, and they walk in and have to kick the bird in the air, that is not wild birds. On these shows, in the credits, or the host will say they are hunting such and such place, a lot of those birds are released. They have to to supplement some of the wild birds that are taken with all the hunters that go there.
If anyone has truly hunted wild pheasants, you know that there will be no talking and even then a lot of the birds will be running ahead of you. In the early 90's hunted near Mitchell, S.D., in 3 days hunting saw between 450-600 pheasants. Couldn't talk or make any noise, and they still ran. You could drive down the road between the sections and see birds in the fields, in coveys, or groups 20-50, drive by ok, stop and they ran for the nearest cover. The ones we shot only weighed about 2 lbs., and from what I remember, most of the cocks didn't cackle when they got up, made it difficult where to shoot with all the birds getting up.
I truly envy the people who live in these areas of wild pheasants.
I also hunted in southern Georgia for quail on a big plantation, with a mule drawn wagon and the shooters, only 2, were on horseback. Funny how all the coveys were right along the road. Asked the wagon driver about wild birds, and he said they are there, but deep in the back.
So to everyone that is truly hunting wild birds, good for you, it's almost a thing of the past. But remember that most of these properties that specilize in hunts for wild birds, in fact are using pen raised birds also.
