RE: hot spots for pheasants
I'm right next door in Alberta similar province out east. I'd look for birds in river bottoms and around grain fields with cover. Talk to the locals and the Conservation office, they could put you on some bird spots. As for a dog, it's nice but not a necessity. I have hunted pheasants my whole life and it's awesome with a dog, but I have killed more birds without one. Most of our hunting is done in overgrown ditches so it's easy for 2 guys to push. Good luck! JDinAB