Look for inkberry, wattle trees and 
lupin which are all seed producing 
favourites for pheasant to feed on.  
When pine forestry has been cut 
the slash left behind helps inkberry 
growth so if you find locations 
that have the above, then you will 
be in prime pheasant country.
COASTAL DUNES
Hunting pheasant means walking, 
the longer you can walk, then the 
more birds you will encounter.  I like 
to hunt over a mix of pine forestry, 
farmland, and coastal dune country 
which I find offers some of the 
best habitat for pheasant hunting.
Lupins found in coastal dune 
country off Northland’s west coast 
is a favoured habitat for pheasant.
A pheasant bursting from cover 
often surprises the hunter who 
misses and the bird glides to the 
safety of thick cover across a gully.
Locating fresh pheasant 
tracks in sand dunes indicates 
birds are close by.
 /FISHINGINGODZONE  67

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