Pheasant

Photo of a male ring-necked pheasant walking on the ground.
In fall and winter, pheasants eat grain and other seeds, leaves, roots, berries, nuts, and some insects.
Noppadol Paothong
Photo by Noppadol Paothong, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Photo of a male ring-necked pheasant walking on the ground.

Long-tailed and chicken-like. The adult male is an iridescent mix of bronze, green, and black, with a red fleshy patch of skin around the eye and usually a white ring around the neck. The female is brown with a pointed tail, not rounded as in grouse and prairie-chickens. The voice of male is a harsh two-syllable SCAA-konk; the hen’s is a soft keea, keea.

Topic Category
Hunting / Fishing Guide
Regulations
Seasons
Biological Information
Ring-Necked Pheasant
Seasons
Season Dates Hours Limits/Notes
Pheasant: Hunting: Youth -

Daily limit: 2 male pheasants
Possession limit: 4 male pheasants

Open to youths age 6 through 15. Youths who are not hunter-education certified must hunt in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult; however, the adult may not hunt pheasants.

Only male pheasants may be taken. A foot or fully-feathered head must be left attached during transportation and storage.
Pheasant: Hunting -

Daily limit: 2 male pheasants
Possession limit: 4 male pheasants

Only male pheasants may be taken. A foot or fully-feathered head must be left attached during transportation and storage.