b'Another key factor I find when you are walking in winter along the dunes, is the roar from the rough Tasman which helps conceal the noise of your approach and the dog working hard on their trail.The dry sandy conditions also mean the birds scent keeps longer for the dog to find and track through the dunes.Often when hunting here, I have had birds hold very tight and get up at my feet which sure makes for heart racing shooting, and it is hard to beat.Also, the colour of the birds plumage is amazing and they seem to be very bright in colour and it must be due to the food they are living on that is found in the sand dunes, whereas birds I have shot Gamebores Bismuth is ajust up the road (less than 10km premium 12ga cartridge whichaway) on farmland have darker is non-toxic and with shot thatcolourings and the feathers arent is more like lead than steel.as vibrant as the coastal birds.Another important habitat for pheasant is pine forestry, which is now widespread throughout the country, and it offers a great domain for upland birds that has helped increase bird populations for hunters.COASTAL DUNESHunting pheasant means walking, the longer you can walk, then the more birds you will encounter.I hunt a mix of pine forestry, farmland, and coastal dune country which I find offers some of the best habitat for pheasant hunting.On the west coast of Northland out along Ripiro Beach which is the longest driveable beach in Godzone.The dry sandy dunes border the farmland with fresh grass and clover with high cliffs and flax that pheasant love hiding in when danger presents.When the sun comes out, the birds fly down from these cliffs and into the long tussock covered dunes where they feed on lupin seeds and insects.There are a lot of big crickets andCartridges with #6 lead are the most locusts living in these dry sandycommon shot used for conditions which attract pheasants. pheasant hunting. /FISHINGINGODZONE65'