During the cleanup hunt, the fringe areas often produce better than the stocked fields. Though the pheasants are released mostly into grassy fields and fencerow areas, that's where most of the hunting takes place and most of the harvest. The survivors are birds that escaped into wetlands or woodlands, harder to hunt and often overlooked by hunters. Though not the typical habitat used by wild pheasants, areas such as these become prime hunting areas during the cleanup season.

Another strategy is to hunt the "second shift." Most hunters head for the property by the dawn's early light. Often, by late morning they've either harvested their pheasants or have worn out themselves and their dogs' stamina and head for home. This means a hunter showing up to hunt the afternoon hours will likely find him or herself mostly or completely alone. Nice!

PRESERVE HUNTING
Don't ever think a shooting preserve owner has set up the business to get rich. They don't any more than fishing guides, big-game outfitters or other businesspeople in outdoor pursuits get rich. What they do get from their chosen careers is the chance to be outdoors doing what they like to do and helping others enjoy the outdoors, as well. For many, breaking even is as good as making a profit.

That being said, what's a day of pheasant hunting in good cover over well-trained bird dogs worth to you? Add in ample limits (more than Indiana's normal two per person) and a season that runs from September to March. Now what would you pay? Throw in the fact your birds will be cleaned and packaged for you at the end of the hunt. Maybe add in a home-cooked meal or one prepared by a professional chef. You may even be able to overnight it in a rustic but ultra-modern lodge and have another hunt in the morning. What would you pay?

All this and more is available at one of the dozens of private shooting preserves located across Indiana. (Go online to www.blackswingandclay. com for a comprehensive listing.) All of these hunts don't offer all the amenities, but if you shop around, you'll find one offering exactly what you require.

There's no set-pricing schedule. Some preserves offer "set" hunts. For a specific price, each hunter will get the opportunity to bag a specific number of pheasants. Extra birds can be "bought" for an additional fee. Some hunts include a bird dog and handler; some offer discounts if you bring your own dog; some charge extra for the services of a dog and handler.

Regardless of the plan offered, match the price against what it would cost in time and money to take a multi-day trip to South Dakota to harvest the number of pheasants you can bag in one outing on a preserve and you'll be money ahead staying here in Indiana.

Maybe I was wrong earlier in this article when I said Indiana was a "have-not" state when it comes to pheasants. Hoosier pheasant hunting fans may not have unlimited access to the wide-open spaces and bountiful wild stocks available to Westerners, but they do have plenty of options. Regardless if the bird flushing ahead of your gun is a wild bird, one hunted on a preserve or stocked on a DNR property, bagging that gaudy ringneck is a challenge and a thrill. It's a thrill that keeps me going back for more each new season. What about you?