The First of October: What the Start of Pheasant Season Really Means

The morning of the first drive of the season. I'm usually up earlier than I need to be, checking the kit I checked the night before like an eager kid at Christmas, loading the car in the dark, with strong coffee brewing for the day ahead. By the time I'm on the road, the anticipation has already been building for months, and I'm not the only one who's been waiting.

The first of October means something different depending on where you're standing. For the Gun, it's the day the season finally begins. For the keeper, it's the day eight months of work either pays off or doesn't. Both have a stake in how it goes, and both have earned the right to be there.

For this post, I wanted to look at the opening week from both sides; what the keeper has done to make it possible, what early-season pheasant shooting actually looks like on the ground, and a few things worth knowing before you pull on your boots and head out for the first drive of the year.

So grab that coffee, and let’s jump into the first week of pheasant season.

The Season Behind ‘the Season’

Most Guns (me included) arrive on the first of October thinking about the day ahead. Few stop to consider that the keeper has been thinking about this day since February, and if you’re not already familiar, here's what went into it:

• February: The season has barely ended before the next one begins. Hen pheasants are caught up before the 1st February deadline for breeding stock. Predator control also continues through spring without pause.
  
  
• Spring: Pen maintenance and repair is underway. Poults are ordered from game farms, but supply isn't guaranteed, and a shortfall at this stage has consequences that run all the way to October.
  
  
• June and July: Poults start arriving at six to eight weeks old; morning and evening feeds become the daily rhythm. Water is a constant, and on a busy shoot a keeper might be managing dozens of drinkers across the whole ground- it's relentless work through the height of summer
  
  
• August and September: Birds move out of pens into cover crops. Dogging-in begins, and the keeper and dogs walk the boundaries, sometimes twice a day, encouraging birds back toward the shoot. On some shoots this continues well into October alongside the season itself.

By October 1st, the keeper knows every drive, every wood, and roughly where the birds are holding. The first drive of the season is not a guess. It is the result of eight months of work, most of it done in weather most Guns never see.

Early Season Pheasant Shooting Tips: What to Expect in October

Early October pheasant shooting is genuinely different from November or December, and most people never explain why. A few things worth knowing before the first drive:

The birds are younger. 

Pheasants released in summer are only a few months old by October 1st. They fly lower and slower than birds later in the season. By January, the same birds will be a completely different proposition, but on the first few days, don't expect the fireworks of a mid-season drive.

The cover is still thick.

Leaves are still on the trees; cover crops are standing. The beating line works harder, and birds can take longer to move. Drives often run later than expected, so patience still matters (hard, I know, after waiting nearly 8 months!) But moving off a drive too early is one of the most common early-season mistakes.

The weather is unpredictable.

Early October can be warm enough to overheat in a heavy jacket or cold enough to make standing on a peg rather uncomfortable. December is easier to dress for, but the layering decision in the morning matters more in the first week of the season than at almost any other point.

Dogs work differently.

Thick cover and warm temperatures make early season retrieves harder. Birds that fall into standing maize or dense undergrowth can take time to find, no matter how good the dog, so give the pickers-up and their dogs time before moving off a drive.

On an honest note: the first drive of the first day is rarely the best drive of the year, and that's fine. The birds are finding their feet, the beating line is settling in, and the keeper is watching how the drives fall. The season builds; from this, remember- the first day is the beginning, not the benchmark.

What to Wear Pheasant Shooting in October: Layering for the Early Season

As I said earlier, December is straightforward to dress for. Early October- not so much. The temperature at the start of a drive and the temperature by the end of it can feel like two different days, and getting the layering wrong in the first week of the season is a rite of passage most people only go through once. Yep, me included.

I have found the answer is flexibility.

A merino base layer like the Hoggs of Fife Merino Base Layer regulates well without that clammy feeling of synthetic alternatives.

A mid-layer that removes easily between drives like the Jack Pyke Ashcombe Lambswool Zip Knit Pullover is also ideal, warm enough for a cold start and easy to pack away when it warms up.

Over the top, a waterproof outer that handles both conditions, like the Harkila Orton Tech HWS Jacket for Guns, the Deerhunter Game Pro Light Jacket for beaters.
Waterproof boots with ankle support from the first drive, such as the Hoggs of Fife Aonach II, handle early-season ground well.

And don't forget the all-essential ear defenders, a cartridge bag, and cash for the keeper's tip at the end of the day.

The First Drive is Just the Beginning

For me a good shoot day is a team effort, and the first of October is where that becomes most obvious. The keeper has been working since February to put birds over the Guns, the beating line is covering the ground that has been worked for months, and the pickers-up are doing the work after the shot. A Gun who understands what's happening around them gets a whole lot more from the day, and not just because they're more grateful for it, but because they can appreciate the sport beyond the shot.

When that happens, the rest of the season tends to follow.

And with the season underway, there’s no better time to explore the full shooting clothing and accessories range here at Serious Country Sports and make sure your kit is ready for whatever October decides to bring. 

Author

Matthew Holland

Matt Holland is passionate about sharing tips on enjoying the British countryside. From field sports to woodland walks, Matt is a proud enthusiast of all country pursuits, with a keen interest in country sports and the heritage, traditions, and tales they offer. Living and working in the beautiful Cheshire countryside, Matt combines his love for rural life with practical advice, helping others make the most of the seasons while embracing the thrill of country sports and the beauty of country life.