Photo courtesy of Chuck Robbins.

Looking to shoot pheasant in the Rocky Mountain states? We've wrapped up your options for you.

MONTANA
In terms of access, number of birds, hunting pressure, you name it, Montana wins. It's best of show, hands down, no contest.

Adding to substantial public acreage harboring wild ringnecks, the Block Management Program -- which provides free public-hunting access to private lands -- enrolled about 9 million acres last year. No other state is in same ballpark.

While most major river drainages harbor wild pheasant, access is by far the best in the eastern two-thirds of the state. The northeast, Region 6, gets my vote for Numero Uno, with Region 4 running a close second, followed by regions 5 and 7.

Access is decent-to-great in all but Region 7, where increasingly, large parcels are tied up in leases with outfitters and others.

Barring unforeseen weather-related disasters, all four regions normally boast decent population figures. But overall, Region 6 contains more and better habitat.

Keys to successful end-to-end pheasant hunting:
• Plan early and contact various regional offices of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Request current Block Management information and ask to speak to the appropriate biologist.
• Contact national wildlife refuges, the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, and the Bureau of Land Management. Each could provide valuable tidbits in the course of casual conversations.
• Most urgent: Call or better yet, visit a few landowners within each region, and do so well before opening day -- before the deluge starts.

The season runs from early October through Jan. 1. Check for the exact dates and any changes at fwp.mt.gov.

A non-resident bird license costs $110. Daily bag is three cocks, with nine in possession.

If you're seeking a preserve hunt or to book an outfitter, check out:
• Van Voast's Farm, at (406) 883-2000;
• Eagle's Nest Lodge, at 1-866-258-3474,
• Montana Bird Hunts, at (406) 587-5923;
• Powder River Outfitters, at (406) 427-5721;
• Tom's Bird Hunts, at (406) 723-4753;
• Two Leggins Outfitters, at (406) 665-2825; and
• Yellowstone River Hunts, at (406) 356-2511.

IDAHO
Idaho's "Access Yes!" Program currently includes more than 1 million acres and counting. To be sure, that's not all prime pheasant habitat, but there's enough that John Q. Average's rooster-chasing prospects have taken a decided upturn.

Most areas appear to have a decent carry-over of adult birds, so barring disaster, the upcoming season looks good. Pheasants occur statewide, but the keys are agriculture and good habitat and of course, access. Lacking access, even a boom in pheasant numbers becomes a moot point.

You'll likely find the best hunting in the Clearwater (Lewiston), the Southwest (Boise) regions and in the Southeast, especially the Bear River country, which is the heart of the Idaho lands enrolled in Conservation Reserve Program -- a boon to upland bird hunting wherever it occurs.

Other good bets are the nine wildlife management areas that have semi-weekly releases: Fort Boise, Market Lake, Payette River, Mud Lake, Montour, Cartier Slough, C.J. Strike, Niagara Springs and Sterling.

In addition to a state license, a $21.50 permit ($81.25 for non-residents) is required, which allows a total take of six ringnecks, with no more than two birds taken per day.