Or does it?

i know that on a rainy day pheasants are often on road sides pecking for food.

You usually come home soaking wet, with no birds. They seem to "disappear" when it's raining. You won't find the birds in heavy cover. They will stay more in the open and see you coming from a long distance. I usually stay home when it's raining.

The birds do not like to fly in the rain. They will hold tight to cover and run. Even on days with high humidity birds will not fly as high staying lower and not getting up as often.

Although I don't like hunting in the rain, it is one of the better times to hunt. Hunted an hour and a half during Kentucky's quail opener today and took three quail and two woodcock, before deciding we were wet enough. Rain provides better scenting conditions for the dogs and causes birds to hold much tighter. Hunted one (and only one) day in the rain last season and took five quail and eight woodcock. It was a steady rain and not very enjoyable.