tough to beat standing corn for winter cover. It stands tall, and acts like a snow fence too. Turkeys & Pheasants can easily get to the ears even with several feet of snow.
Sunflowers look promising in the fall, but are MIGHTY THIN when the leaves fall off, and the snow falls.
Crops like Wheat left standing, or Rye is only decent until the snow comes, and then it wont stand up to even a mild winter like this one. Sorghum might be a good option, but I have not tried it.
I have lots of experience with Turkeys on our property - and not so much with pheasants. I do see lots of Pheasant sign over at Green Lakes - in the overgrown areas with lots of Wild Rose - Its seems to offer real good cover, though I wouldn't want it overgrown on my property.
FH