Pelee Island Pheasant Hunting

Chuck

Chuck

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Deep River
My brother and I are considering pheasant hunting on Pelee Island in the fall. It would be a new one for us. I'm wondering what experience others have had with this and if you need a dog to have a good, successful hunt.
 
Pelee Island is fantastic hunt. Lots of area to cover. You’ll likely run into a few goofs here and there, but overall, there is enough land to hunt unimpeded. I highly recommend bringing a dog. It will be a tough hunt without one. I missed the last two years because of COVID crap, but I look forward to getting back out there
 
My partner and I hunted Pelee for 16 years years straight, did two to three hunts some years. It is not just a matter of taking down a dog, you need a good dog that has a keen nose good stamina and doesn't range far or take off on you as there is so much bird sent and sightings many dogs just pi$$ off on many fellas never to be seen again for hours. Or you dog is flushing birds away out of range. If you want to at least have a decent chance of getting your birds you MUST have a decent dog. Three of my best labs spent much of their hunting time on pheasants much of it on Pelee. Pelee can be a very hard hunt on a dog. If you don't have a decent dog DO NOT waste your time and money going down as Pelee is not the chicken shoot some purport it. You have two days to shoot 10 birds per man. The trick is to get most of them the first day. And then find unmolested little pockets of birds on day 2 to finish up if need be. After a few years we got pretty sharp on where to go and would have all our birds 20 by noon the first day. Our best time was 20 birds in 54 min. Two men and one very good but tired dog.
I could write a small novel on the in and outs of hunting Pelee. I imagine a lot has changed as I haven't set foot on the island in 13 yrs. Keep in mind they try to sell 700 license's per hunt, at least they used to, they put out 10 birds per hunter, so thats 7000 birds, with 700 anxious fellas with dogs after them. This all takes place on an island that is 4 miles wide and 9 miles long with both tip ends and built up residential areas and standing bean fields off limits, so out of the 36 sq, miles perhaps 25 of it is actually huntable. It is actually a small miracle more hunters and dogs do not get shot. Like previously posted Pelee has its fair share or a$$holes and red necks running around with loaded shotguns looking for something to kill. The main trick is to keep yourself out of unsafe situations. So stay the hell off Browns Line and any other bush areas as your begging to get raked with shot.

Your must realize everybody and there uncle wants a ferry reservation for Wed afternoon going over and Friday afternoon or early Sat to return. It can not happen the ferry just can't do it. Ferry reservations last many years I went were allotted on a first come first served phone it basis starting on date in Jan of the year of the hunt. Its was a total cluster F'''''k of a disaster. I have no idea how it is done now. So you want to look into that. The ferry is run by the province so that explains volumes. Getting ferry times of Tuesday morning and Sat afternoon/eve is to be expected. Next you need accommodation's. Many resident islanders take in hunters, and feed you for a price. There is also cabin rentals camp grounds. The place I stayed the folks sold and moved to the mainland. I would suggest contacting the township office or even better google the Pelee hunt to see what info comes up.
Pelee can be a most enjoyable time and a great hunt just do your home work before hand, take a good dog and stay safe.
 
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I have hunted Pelee several times and as recently as last year during the second "main hunt". I highly recommend bringing a dog and it helps to have a good dog with some pheasant experience. The cover is thick enough in most areas that it would be difficult to "walk up" birds with any consistency.

There are hunters there who are motivated by getting their limits as fast as possible so they can get to drinking and playing cards. Some of them lack manners and respect and blast through areas in front of others shooting at every bird that flushes and then put little or no effort into recovering them. This is the second reason I recommend a dog. Having said that, it is not difficult to just avoid these people and go about your business. There are plenty of birds. For every yahoo I have encountered there, I have also met a nice like-minded hunter who is a pleasure to talk to.

The hunts are three days now instead of two. The 10 bird limit remains the same however and I like to think this has taken some pressure off of people who "need" to get those 10 birds in two days (or a day and a half depending on their ferry ride).

Important to note that this year, like last year, you have to buy your license BEFORE April 1st. If you miss the cutoff, you are SOL.

Also, Ferry reservations for the pheasant hunts were on March 14th. Because this date has passed, you may have to take what you can get as far as booking a ferry ride. Last year, it was not really an issue and I had no problems getting on the boat even towing a tent trailer.

Its a fun time and I highly recommend doing it.
 
mrgoat;[URL="tel:18745861" said:
18745861[/URL]]My partner and I hunted Pelee for 16 years years straight, did two to three hunts some years. It is not just a matter of taking down a dog, you need a good dog that has a keen nose good stamina and doesn't range far or take off on you as there is so much bird sent and sightings many dogs just pi$$ off on many fellas never to be seen again for hours. Or you dog is flushing birds away out of range. If you want to at least have a decent chance of getting your birds you MUST have a decent dog. Three of my best labs spent much of their hunting time on pheasants much of it on Pelee. Pelee can be a very hard hunt on a dog. If you don't have a decent dog DO NOT waste your time and money going down as Pelee is not the chicken shoot some purport it. You have two days to shoot 10 birds per man. The trick is to get most of them the first day. And then find unmolested little pockets of birds on day 2 to finish up if need be. After a few years we got pretty sharp on where to go and would have all our birds 20 by noon the first day. Our best time was 20 birds in 54 min. Two men and one very good but tired dog.
I could write a small novel on the in and outs of hunting Pelee. I imagine a lot has changed as I haven't set foot on the island in 13 yrs. Keep in mind they try to sell 700 license's per hunt, at least they used to, they put out 10 birds per hunter, so thats 7000 birds, with 700 anxious fellas with dogs after them. This all takes place on an island that is 4 miles wide and 9 miles long with both tip ends and built up residential areas and standing bean fields off limits, so out of the 36 sq, miles perhaps 25 of it is actually huntable. It is actually a small miracle more hunters and dogs do not get shot. Like previously posted Pelee has its fair share or a$$holes and red necks running around with loaded shotguns looking for something to kill. The main trick is to keep yourself out of unsafe situations. So stay the hell off Browns Line and any other bush areas as your begging to get raked with shot.

Your must realize everybody and there uncle wants a ferry reservation for Wed afternoon going over and Friday afternoon or early Sat to return. It can not happen the ferry just can't do it. Ferry reservations last many years I went were allotted on a first come first served phone it basis starting on date in Jan of the year of the hunt. Its was a total cluster F'''''k of a disaster. I have no idea how it is done now. So you want to look into that. The ferry is run by the province so that explains volumes. Getting ferry times of Tuesday morning and Sat afternoon/eve is to be expected. Next you need accommodation's. Many resident islanders take in hunters, and feed you for a price. There is also cabin rentals camp grounds. The place I stayed the folks sold and moved to the mainland. I would suggest contacting the township office or even better google the Pelee hunt to see what info comes up.
Pelee can be a most enjoyable time and a great hunt just do your home work before hand, take a good dog and stay safe.
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Sounds as charming now as ever. Had friends that went a few times. Overcrowded and pen raised birds. Hard pass. OP just go to a game farm where they provide a dog with a handler and you have a hunt to yourself. You'll get the same pen raised birds without all the overcrowding and wondering if somebody not practicing good gun handling practices may send a load of shot your way.

First time I ever heard of the Pelee Island Pheasant Hunt I was a youngster and saw it on this show! If it can make it to Scuttlebutt Lodge then you know there is a lot of scuttlebutt about it! :p

https://youtu.be/_FTigt4f80E
 
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The last time I seen Red Fisher it was on Pelee Island. He was so old and crippled up his friends sat him on a chair on the side of the road up in the NW corner by the old winery ruins and they were trying to drive a few pheasants past him so he could get a crack at one.
 
mrgoat said:
The last time I seen Red Fisher it was on Pelee Island. He was so old and crippled up his friends sat him on a chair on the side of the road up in the NW corner by the old winery ruins and they were trying to drive a few pheasants past him so he could get a crack at one.
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I met him when I was about 12-13 years old. I used to think his show was cool as a kid but there wasn't much else. There was The American Sportsman with Curt Gowdy and that was always a good watch too at the time. Once Red got talking even at 12 I thought "oh man what a windbag!" :runaway: Now I find watching those old clips kind of nostalgic...:)

https://youtu.be/cLOnJkW5OEc
 
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I've always wanted to give Pelee Island a try just never got around to it, too busy duck hunting at that time of year.
 
Chuck said:
My brother and I are considering pheasant hunting on Pelee Island in the fall. It would be a new one for us. I'm wondering what experience others have had with this and if you need a dog to have a good, successful hunt.
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You know what, it's a real shame that hunters are like this but it's something that I have really noticed especially with the older generation; discouraging others from trying something new or unconventional. As a younger hunter and someone who was introduced to hunting then became self-taught a lot of times I have wanted to try a new hunt or tactic and so often when looking for advice from more experienced hunters you hear "it cant be done" or "you have to do this", its total crap! If you're interested in trying to hunt Pelee go for it, they release lots of birds each year and there are tons of public areas to hunt. If you don't have a lot of experience or a dog it just means more leg work, all you need is a gun, two good legs, hard work, and a good attitude and you will have fun.
There are also ducks, woodcocks, rabbits, grouse, and squirrels so I'm sure you'll find something to pursue. Hunting is more than the kill its about the time in new places learning and spending time with friends and loved ones.

I got a rooster last year and despite what people say I have no dog, I was by myself and it was my first time.
 
I hunt Pelee every year and have for a very long time.

It’s an excellent hunt. Getting on and off the island in bad weather can be problematic, so pack some additional food and beverages just in case. A good dog is very helpful but not an absolute requirement. You hear lots of things about Pelee but on the whole my group really enjoys it and I have seen a lot of good sportsmanship over the years too.

There are not nearly the hunters now that there have been historically with Covid and border closures etc. however they still put on a good hunt and it’s worth trying. A very unique setting.
 
wow sounds like a total blast...These comments make me feel a little better about 7 hours north for 3 days hunting grouse and seeing no one. Enjoy the Pelee hunt and the farm raised birds
 
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