Frank, I live 3 miles from the nearest stocking area. It is not at all uncommon for pheasants to show up only a week or so from the first stocking. Last year I had a cock and two hens hanging around all winter. The dogs pointed them on numerous occasions and the cock was one of the most vocal guys. He'd cackle his head off when flushed as if tempting me to take a shot. They were worth more to me alive than in the stew pot. I last heard him squawk this spring well back in the big woods and that was the last I saw any of them. The area they were headed to is a hemlock bottom with lots of barred owls so I guess they went into a different pot.
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