The 2021 general pheasant hunt is underway and wildlife officials have been releasing
birds at wildlife and waterfowl management areas in Uintah, Duchesne, and Daggett
Counties. The Division of Wildlife Resources has a few tips for hunters. “If you don’t
have a dog, you can still be successful by walking slowly to flush out the pheasants,”
DWR Upland Game Coordinator Heather Talley said. “Many times, they will flush if you
stand near them for a few minutes because they think that they’ve been spotted.” Walking
along ditch banks or fence lines is also a good hunting strategy. Pheasants typically prefer
to run rather than fly away. “Hunters should also target the DWR wildlife management
areas located throughout the state because we will be releasing about 12,000 pen-reared
rooster pheasants in these areas,” Talley said. “Birds will be released each week
throughout November to help increase hunter success and give everyone a good
opportunity to harvest birds this season. If you do choose to hunt on one of our WMAs,
be willing to hike a long way away from parking areas and other hunters to increase your
chances of finding the wild birds.” Pheasants are being released in northeastern Utah at
Browns Park, Stewart Lake, Little Montes Creek, Starvation Reservoir, and Pariette
Wetlands, among other areas. Link to the full list through wildlife.utah.gov.
