Pheasant Hunting on Vancouver Island

Anything you need to know about the best time, places, outfitters, and regulations of Vancouver Island pheasant hunting, you can find them here. We are ready to help you make a rewarding BC hunting opportunity.

One of the subtle signs we can say spring has arrived on Vancouver Island is the pheasant singing. Pheasants are non-native game birds introduced to the island from Asia and minor Asia for hunting and sport. Appropriate habitat conditions help the population of this small game flourish on southern Vancouver Island, making it one of the best pheasant (cocks) hunting destinations in North America. Pheasant hunting is a challenging hunt, which is why annually, many hunters come to Vancouver Island to hunt these majestic birds. They are ground birds, meaning instead of nesting on the trees, they prefer nesting in bushy vegetation to secure their eggs and, later on, their newborn chicks. Therefore, locating these birds is a bit hard. At first, when they first were introduced to the island, they began to multiply very fast, but after about two centuries, the population declined due to limited habitat availability, new agricultural practicing, hunting, and excessive urbanization. Although they aren't native to Vancouver Island, hunting pheasant has a bag limit. The pheasant introduced to North America originally came from Asia and, more specifically, China. The subspecies inhabiting Vancouver Island are called ring-necked pheasant because of the white ring-shaped colour they have on their necks.

It was 1883 when pheasants were first introduced to Vancouver Island. Initially, 25 of them were brought to Esquimalt, and researchers think Esquimalt was where the pheasant population started to grow. After almost a decade, the number of pheasants on Vancouver Island increased rapidly, and in 1972, their estimated population on the island was 14,000. Impressive! Isn't it? So, according to the pheasant population, you can see why people became interested in pheasant hunting on Vancouver Island after they settled on the island. In their shoes, anybody would think maybe the pheasant population is connected to an endless resource, and it doesn't matter how many pheasants you hunt; they still are there for more hunting. However, according to Ann Nightingale, Christmas Birds Count coordinator with Victoria Natural History Society, the pheasant population diminished suddenly and has never recovered ever since. That may be why the government controls pheasant hunting to stop the creature from being eradicated.

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• The best range of Asian pheasants inhabit Vancouver Island and give you excellent hunting opportunities from Victoria to Campbell River. • Pheasants like open areas to settle in; thus, do not choose a location such as bush forests for pheasant harvest. You have an idea about pheasant hunting experience in open green lands. • Pheasants have very sharp sight and hearing, so watch your steps while hunting a pheasant. • If a pheasant senses danger, usually it runs, but when you have cornered the bird, it definitely chooses to fly, and nothing can fly faster than a pheasant. Thus, prevent corner-pheasant-hunting as much as possible, or you may lose your prey. • Hunting pheasants on Vancouver Island is controlled by the government and needs a licence because their population had a drop and never recovered again due to limited habitat for pheasants, new agriculture approaches, and urbanization.

Pheasants spread from the south on Vancouver Island. As mentioned before, they were first released in Esquimalt, and then their population explosively grew. Pheasants prefer open habitats, especially crop fields. They are terrestrial birds nesting on the ground; thus, attempting to take cover from their natural predators, they choose lands with enough vegetation. They hate forested areas; therefore, avoid the woods if you want to go on a pheasant hunting trip. In general, places where you can find pheasants for hunting on Vancouver Island, are: • Grassy and slight agricultural lands
• Wetland margins
• Lower elevation green grounds
• Various vegetative matter
For now, the management units (MU) or the hunting areas designated by BC regulation for hunting pheasant are 1-1 to 1-9 on the region 1 (Vancouver Island) map. But hunters should be aware of no hunting and shooting areas on Vancouver Island.

The client's desires can change the cost. Services you expect for your hunting tour may affect the total price for your hunts—services such as meals, transportation and after-harvest services. But the price of your pheasant hunting trip starts at $200. For more information regarding the cost of your personalized pheasant hunting adventure, please get in touch with us.

To experience a successful pheasant harvest on Vancouver Island: 1- Plan for your pheasant hunting in advance. 2- Choose the areas where you intend to hunt for your pheasant hunting on Vancouver Island. 3- Apply for and obtain the necessary licence for your pheasant hunting. 4- Select the right outfitter to be by your side in a pheasant hunting adventure. But why does choosing the right outfitter matter before starting a pheasant hunting adventure? They provide their guests with appropriate gear and adequate scouting knowledge to ensure that every hunter involved in that trip would have the best chance of successful pheasant hunting. If you want to make sure that your pheasant hunting adventure on Vancouver Island is going to be the best experience ever, choosing the right outfitter is a MUST! If you need help or have any questions regarding the choice of the best outfitter, please feel free to contact us.

• Always preserve the muzzle pointed in a secure direction. • Treat every firearm as if it has been loaded. • Always make certain the firearm is unloaded and preserve the motion open besides when certainly looking or making ready to shoot. • Make sure the barrel and motion are clear of obstruction and that you have the appropriate ammunition for the firearm you are carrying. • Never factor a firearm at something you do not choose to shoot. Avoid all horseplay with any firearm. • Never climb a fence or tree, or jump a ditch with a loaded firearm. • Never shoot at a flat difficult surface or water. • Never pass your firearm to some other man or woman until the cylinder or action is open and you visually take a look at that it is unloaded. • Store your unloaded firearm and ammunition one at a time and in places inaccessible to youth and unauthorized persons. • Wear security glasses and ear protection, whether indoors or out.