Exotic Public Lands Hunting Opportunities

Many exotic species of game animals and birds have been introduced in America over the years. Some of them are widely available across much of the country while others exist only in isolated areas. The hunting of exotic species is often associated with large, high-fence Texas ranches that offer canned hunts for many African and Asian big game animals. But many exotic game birds and animals can also be found on public lands throughout America.
Some of these animals can cause problems for native plants and wildlife. Others seem to exist without any negative impacts on the landscape. Whatever the case, our modern wildlife managers are now past the point of intentionally introducing any new species, but these exotics do provide us with opportunities to get out and enjoy hunting on our public lands.
Game Birds

Ringneck Pheasants
Ringneck pheasants are arguably America’s most popular upland game bird. Native to Asia, Ringneck pheasants were brought to Europe hundreds of years ago, where they were wildly popular with aristocratic hunters. The first successful introduction of pheasants in America occurred in Oregon in 1892. More introductions occurred and before too long, wild populations of the birds could be found all over the United States. In some areas where wild ringneck pheasants once thrived, brushy edge habitat that pheasants rely on for food and cover is being eliminated and bird numbers have fallen. But there’s still plenty of ringnecks around in the heart of pheasant country in the upper Midwest. Public land hunting opportunities are easy to find for ringneck pheasants.

Hungarian Partridge
Hungarian, or grey partridge, are a favorite species for upland bird hunters in the northern prairie and Rocky Mountain states. They are native to Europe and Asia and were brought to North America in the late 18th century with additional introductions occurring later. Hungarian partridge tend to be found in coveys consisting of six to twelve birds. Well-established wild populations provide great upland hunting around brushy draws and grassy, open country near farming operations. They can be found on public lands throughout their range.
Photo: Marcus Hebel/Flickr Creative Commons
Chukar
Chukar are a partridge-sized game bird native to the Middle East. They were first introduced to the United States in the late 19th century but large scale introductions occured between 1930 and 1970 when hundreds of thousands of the birds were released throughout North America. Wild populations of chukar are now common in the mountainous areas surrounding the Great Basin in the states of Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Smaller, more isolated populations exist elsewhere in huntable numbers. Chukar are known for their propensity to live in rugged, steep, arid country. Coveys often flush wildly downhill after hunters spend hours climbing uphill to find the birds. Hunting them can be hard on both the hunter and their bird dog but they can be found on vast expanses of accessible public land.
Big Game

Sika Deer
Sika deer are a small Asian deer species that resemble our American elk, in both appearance and behavior. The largest wild, free-ranging population of Sika deer in America are found in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay region. Sika deer were introduced here in 1916. Since then their numbers have expanded into a growing, huntable population. They prefer forested wetlands and marshes that mimic their native habitat. Sika deer can be hunted on large tracts of public land along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. You can hear all about Steven Rinella’s recent Sika deer hunt on Maryland’s Delmarva Peninsula on the MeatEater Podcast Ep. 89: Ghost of the Marsh here or on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Cheeky Auodad by Eric Kilby
Auodad
Auodad, or Barbary Sheep, are a large sheep species native to Northern Africa. Auodad were released into the wilds of Texas and New Mexico in the 1950’s and hunting seasons were implemented shortly thereafter to control their expanding numbers. Wild populations of these sheep can be found in the rocky, mountainous desert country that resembles their native habitat. Here, they are known to compete with native populations of bighorn sheep and mule deer. A very limited amount of public-land, limited-draw hunting is available in Texas for auodad but in New Mexico, over-the-counter tags allow for year-round hunting on public lands. For hunters that might never draw a tag for a native North American sheep, a public lands auodad hunt offers the next best thing.