I don't believe it is illegal here in Iowa. I hunt with dogs as many do here and would never risk shooting the dog. My experience tells me that pheasents don't normally present a good shot on the ground that would allow for a quick clean kill. Unless there was a recent storm and the birds are held up very tight.

When i first started hunting I witnessed my grandfather grab a live pheasent while hunting which I thought was very impressive and I have never seen that done again.

Why would you want to shoot a pheasent on the ground, flush the bird and et a good shot, give the bird a chance