b'FeatureRuby flushed this cock in dune country which was out feeding in the afternoon sun.COASTAL DUNES out the birds then fly down fromtrack through the dunes.Hunting pheasant or quail meansthe cliffs and into the long tussockOften when hunting here, I have walking, the longer you walk thecovered dunes where they feedhad birds hold very tight and get up more birds you will encounter.I hunton lupin seeds and insects.Therealmost at my feet which sure makes a mix of pine forestry, farmland, andare a lot of big crickets and locustsfor heart racing shooting, and it is coastal dune country which I find theliving in the dry sandy habitat whichhard to beat.Also, the colour of the best for pheasant hunting. attracts pheasants. birds plumage is amazing and they In Northlands dunes on the westAnother key factor is when youseem to be very bright in colour and coast out along Ripiro Beach whichare walking in winter along theit must be due to the food they are is the longest driveable beach indunes the roar from the roughliving on that is found in the sand Godzone.The dry sandy dunesTasman helps conceal the noise ofdunes, whereas birds I have shot just border farmland with fresh grass andyour approach and the dog workingup the road (less than 10km away) clover with high cliffs and flax thathard on their trail.The dry sandyon farmland have darker colourings pheasant love hiding in when dangerconditions also mean the birds scentand the feathers arent as vibrant as presents.When the sun comeskeeps longer for the dog to find andthe coastal birds.74FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE'