Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game Sharttail vs hen pheasant

OK I need a tune up.

How do you tell a hen pheasant from a sharp tail at the flush?

Which one shows white tail feathers?

Noises?

Thanks

Sharpie is much shorter, usually clucks a bit when flushing, small, wedge shaped tail.

If you see white on the belly it's a sharpie

Therefore if I see white it is not a hen?

correct

Thanks Bob.

Sometimes when they get up and go straight away from you it is difficult to see the tail. If you see white or if there is a chuk, chuk, chuk sound it is a Sharptail. They also have a different wing beat pattern than a pheasant and after you see a few fly you will see it.

Sharptails flutter their wings and rock side-to-side as they go off.

Hens usually fly more strongly and don't tilt.

My first year sharp tail hunting I passed on a few dozen birds because I could not accurately id them quick enough thinking they were hen pheasant. Too many years ingrained pheasant hunting

Took a bit especially if flying directly away into the sun. I still pass on birds I should have shot.

One of my favorite birds, although frustrating because of erractic behavior, to hunt because of the terrain they typically hang out in. Love hunting huns and sharptails in the rolling hills and grass and watching the dog work on a sunny day with bright blue skies