As in the other states, there is always the option of paying to play. Here are a few:
• Gavilan Game Preserve, (505) 774-6500; and
• Tinnen Hunt Club, (505) 242-2871.

These all offer preserve-style hunts. Capt. Michael Guerin at (505) 532-5178, and Grouse and Quail Guides at (505) 466-7964, offer guided hunts on private lands.

NEVADA
The official word is that "Interest and participation in pheasant hunting continue to decline."

One biologist, who asked not to be named, said, "Nevada has very little pheasant hunting and does not release birds. Thus hunting opportunities are so inconsequential they really don't merit a mention."

That said, pheasant hunting is open statewide. Hunters who do take to the field this fall in Humboldt, Pershing and Lyon counties should be able to locate some birds, especially early on.

Worst is the Southern Region where at present, the pheasant population is "barely viable." A grimly painted picture indeed!

Of course, preserves are a viable alternative. Even so, there are not a lot of choices. I could find just four:
• Red Hills Hunting Preserve, at (702) 266-3856;
• Fowl Play Inc., (702) 565-4499; and
• Humboldt Hunting Club, (775) 859-0303.

WYOMING
A recent call to Wyoming Game and Fish brought this response:

"Wyoming just isn't the pheasant state it once was. What with the drought, increasingly difficult access to prime pheasant covers and overall lack of public-land opportunities, we just don't encourage hunters to travel here in search of roosters."

That said, a friend of mine enjoys fine hunting on private land and enjoys access via his never-ending courtship of various landowners. (That involves year-round contact, gifts, trades of fishing for hunting, you name it.)

Another acquaintance makes annual treks to the Cowboy State where he hunts privately leased lands through various outfitters. Bottom line: Wyoming is a fine place to hunt pheasants -- if you have access.

These birds are found in most major river drainages and are most numerous on private agricultural lands. Sheridan, Laramie, Goshen, Johnson and Campbell counties lead the state in harvest, and also receive the bulk of pheasant releases from the state's two pheasant farms. (To hunt release sites, a $10.50 Special Management Pheasant Stamp is required.)

The season generally runs from late October through December. Non-residents pay $61 per season, or $16 daily.

The flip side: Wyoming is blessed with many outfitters and preserves that cater to pheasant hunters:
• Canyon Ranch Gun Club, at (307) 674-6239;
• Fly Shop of the Big Horns, (800) 253-5866,
• Milliron 2 Outfitting, (307) 347-2574;
• Redneck Guide Service, (307) 262-4933;
• Wild Wings Cast and Blast, (307) 413-BIRD; and
• Wyoming Edge Outfitters, (307) 467-5663; to name just a few of the larger operations.