I've done a little of that on about three acres the last few years... altho I don't hunt in that area except for deer, they love the thick stuff.... What I did, I took a clear cut, and mowed some paths... piled up the slashings(cuttings, whatever you call the left over limbs after someone logs out an area) all in specific areas. The rabbits really filled up the area, and some grouse... not many pheasant around here. I may hunt it next year but I haven't touched it in about three years. I think I could hunt it sparingly and be ok. But I mainly made it so I could see the animals, and it turned out to be a great place for deer to sneak around in too.
-Jake