Equipping yourself with the right stuff to tackle nasty cover and inclement weather requires some planning. To turn thorns and burrs, you'll need to invest in a good pair of chaps, such as those manufactured by C.C. Filson Company, or, better yet, a pair of Wrangler Pro Gear brush pants faced with 1,000-denier Cordura nylon.

Don't get me wrong: The opportunity to hunt a pheasant El Dorado is definitely worth the trip; it's heartening just to see hundreds of birds flush from a single field. Still, you don't need pheasants living elbow to elbow in a field to enjoy a hunt. Regions with scattered pockets of pheasants have all the ingredients for a successful hunt. You may not skim a limit from every walk, but with the right scouting and attention to details, you certainly can get a limit with some good old-fashioned hard work.