Why do pheasants run out into the road?
Why do these dozy pheasants always get in the way? On my way to work this morning I took I slightly different route than usual and on one particular road there were pheasants everywhere.
These pheasants just seemed to appear from nowhere. Luckily I wasn't going too fast because at one point I had to come to a grinding halt while this stupid pheasant decided which way she wanted to go. It seems as soon as they see a car they decide to run for it, right out in front of you! Time for some defensive driving I think!
I don't understand why people breed pheasants
I really don't understand why people breed pheasants only to let them run wild and get killed by cars. I dread to think how many dead pheasants I have seen on the sides of the roads.
If people are going to breed them then won't don't they somehow confine them to a certain area instead of letting them roam where they want to when half of them will get killed by cars etc…
It may sound cruel confining them but at least they'll have a longer life and will be less likely to become roadkill.
On another note, surely this is a great danger to people driving on the road. I wonder how many serious accidents have happened because of pheasants running out in front of cars and people have tried to swerve and avoid them. Keep your pheasants locked up!
Comments from visitors
I live in Mid Wales and at certain times of the year there are a huge amount of pheasants around and many of them get killed on the road unfortunately. The reason there are so many is quite simple, thousands of these lovely colourful birds are bred every year for one reason "The Gun" This particular species seems to be good at flying low and slow ... exactly what these game wardens breed them for, and all in the name of "Sport" They are easy targets for rich people that can afford to spend thier liesure time killing defencless wildlife in the name of sport.
Shooting game birds in this country should be banned in my opinion. It serves no real purpose except to satisfy blood lust of rich country people with whom this particular activity seems commonplace, and I look forward to the day when barbaric behaviour like this is made illegal in this country, in the same way foxhunting with dogs was made illegal a few years back.
Shooting game birds in this country should be banned in my opinion. It serves no real purpose except to satisfy blood lust of rich country people with whom this particular activity seems commonplace, and I look forward to the day when barbaric behaviour like this is made illegal in this country, in the same way foxhunting with dogs was made illegal a few years back.
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Pheasants are not native to this country, being brought in from China (I think) in the 19th century. They are bred for sport (shooting), but, because there aren't enough really wild pheasants left, most are now bred in captivity and released in time for shooting. Unfortunately, because they have been in constant contact with humans they have little fear and absolutely no sense of survival the way that the wilder pheasants do. Thats why we see hundreds of the stupid birds hanging around near roads instead of being in the woods. You're right, it's carnage on the roads, but as long as rich tweedy people want to pay a fortune for shooting them, this will continue to happen and many country people are kept in employment just keeping up the pheasant stocks. I have no problem with that, as long as my car isn't damaged, but if you live in the country, you get to know where the birds are likely to be and slow down, just in case.
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I have just found your gripe blog... Why don't you go and live on the moon, you miserable. old person
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its a bird yet it wont fly out the way then its gonna get hit so we should hit it if then it flys aways we've helped it but if it doesnt thn its helped me pheasent for tea!
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Shoot you pheasant on the highway and take it, your roadkill is poaching. Run the pheasant down and that is merely a traffic accident, and you can keep the pheasant.
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Highway Robber - 23-Nov-09 22:30
I aim for the little sh*ts when they get in my way!
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I understand your views, however only 7% of motorists have had collisions with involving phaesants. (none of the above may be true)
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farmer boy dan - 23-Nov-09 14:29
Whoever wrote this does NOT know what they are on about!!!!!!!!
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You have no idea what the hell you are on about. You obviously DONT come from the countryside and DONT understand why pheasents are bred. So before you come out with simething as stupid as that! THINK WHY FIRST!!!
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FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE!! - 23-Nov-09 14:20
The most dangerous thing about pheasants in the road is anybody that tries to avoid them by coming to a "grinding halt" or swerving violently to avoid them , as many surviving birds are likely to be shot for the pot anyway. Also road kill provides food for other birds, lazy fox's and other creatures.
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Yes MsC, I understand what you are saying but you missed my point!
If you ran into a deer in your 'vette and hit it full in the legs where do you think it would end up?
Would you survive?
If you ran into a deer in your 'vette and hit it full in the legs where do you think it would end up?
Would you survive?
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grumpyoldwoman - 15-Jul-09 09:03
Yes grumpywoman true there are big things that run out but Thank God for full coverage lol or if Im in my escalade which is alot safer for me against larger animals there mine too lol but I will try to brake for a deer only if no cars are behind and the situation is safe but as you know its hard to know when there coming out in the road..Havre a great day all! by the way I just bought a pair of driving moccasins mmmmm god there so comfy.. now my foot is always to the floor lol
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The problem is, MsCorvette, sometime you will run over something a bit bigger which will damage your car at the very least!
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grumpyoldwoman - 19-Jun-09 11:27
I've always learned never to swerve and not to brake because you can cause accidents. I know it sounds mean but stay staright in your lane and keep your foot on the gas and go! I drive a new 08 vette (my foot is always to the floor hehe) and I hate when things run out because of how low it is but it is what it is.
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I can tell you, as an accident investigator, pheasants cropped up quite a lot in accidents in rural locations. They are EXTREMELY dim, but so many animals are hit on the roads. Look at the rabbits, hedgehogs or foxes. Most people swerve as an instinct.
There is a pheasant pecking itself in a fight to the death with his reflection in a mirror in my garden as I type (hence my coming across your blog whilst googling pheasant behaviour). Shame, as I leave out seed for him to eat but he lost interest when he discovered his "adversary".
There is a pheasant pecking itself in a fight to the death with his reflection in a mirror in my garden as I type (hence my coming across your blog whilst googling pheasant behaviour). Shame, as I leave out seed for him to eat but he lost interest when he discovered his "adversary".
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Pheasants are extremely dim birds. Bred to be shot, they are allowed to roam the countryside - at speed, it is extremely dangerous to swerve to avoid an animal. They do no damage to your car if you hit one, and, if you see one dead by the side of the road, you can pick it up, take it home, and cook it. Pheasant is a lovely meat and depending on the time of year and the size/gender of the bird, it is deliciously tender.
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tryingtohelp - 25-Apr-09 17:14
Pee-zants and Loo - I'm afraid you are the idiots. Of course pheasants are bred. About 40 million of them a year - for the shooting 'industry'. Many of them get run over, or starve, because they're not really wild at all. And most of them don't get eaten either - the money is in the shooting, not the meat. All 40 million of them get fed perfectly good corn before they're released.
Such a waste, for some people to try and climb the social ladder on shoots.
Such a waste, for some people to try and climb the social ladder on shoots.
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With the rising price of meat and rising unemployment, I wonder if more people will be catching their own dinner soon
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If I hit a pheasant, he or she is slung in the back of the car and my dog has a yummy meal when we get home - waste not, want not. He eats the lot, feathers and all.
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pheasants breed by themselves you idiot, they are wild. if you want to blame anyone then blame whoever introduced them to this country for hunting in the first place. If they really piss you off that much then get your own back and cook the damn thing, they make a nice roast!
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