In RI, small game (pheasant included) opens up about 2 weeks into archery season. I've only gotten into bowhunting in this state the past few seasons. Every time I find a good looking piece of public land to hunt, after opening day of small game, its all over. I had hoped that maybe the activity might push deer, and that it does. I had a deer blow by me so fast a couple years ago I couldn't even raise my bow let alone get a shot. Also, it is a circus. Dogs, cowbells, guns, "find the birds daisy", etc. If you count pellets raining down on you through the branches as being shot at, I've been shot attwice sitting in my tree stand. Part of my challenge now isn't just to find where the deer are, but find good deer sign where will there not be any pheasant hunters.

For the record, I am not against pheasant hunting, in fact I find it enjoyable. I would almost welcome closing the woods to archery in some sections of WMA's where they stock birds and also closing some sections to small gamers where they dont. Everybody has a right to the woods, but I think how the property is managed to be fair to all and to be SAFE for all should be taken into consideration by the DEM.