For us people of the plains, especially outdoor enthusiasts, the ringneck pheasant is a problem child - the difficult bird that, despite its demerits, we love all the more. Favorite of upland game hunters up and down the plains, the ringneck tries hard to be a bad bird. Unlike quail, or even early-season grouse, ringnecks refuse to hold for a dog. They run, they are sneaky, and if left any feasible escape route, they find it.