Weren't those planted birds? Having never shot wild pheasant I just can't comprehend wild ones holding that tight in such sparse cover.
Someone here who chases wild ones please clue me in.
Others would know better, but I've seen them hold in that type of cover. A decent dog would pin them, in that low scrub.
Don't know if Mountain Dan was having an off day, but he's not the best at spotting them, off the toe of his walking shoes? If they were planted by some cattails as an example, chances are wild birds would stretch their legs, and more likely that ole Dan would have stepped on a duck.
