Stotute mules 

Figure 3. Past and present distribution of the ring-necked pheasant 
in the United States. (Map from Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Circular 34, 1955) 
Distribution and Relative Abundance 
The range of the three subspecies of green pheasants in Japan extends 
between latitude 30° and 41° N. This is approximately the same latitude 
as that between Trenton, New Jersey and Jacksonville, Florida. Green 
pheasants are not native to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido but 
they have recently been imported there for propagation. Excluding certain 
heavy snowfall areas of western Honshu, the green pheasant is found on the 
plains, in the valleys and in the low foothills in elevations up to 3,500 
feet. Below this elevation the birds usually will be found in close prox- 
imity to any land which can be cultivated. 
Green pheasants are sought widely by the Japanese hunter but, where 
protected properly throughout the year, their numbers are normally adequate 
to provide several birds a day for the ardent sportsman. However, due to 
increased hunting pressure since World War II, pheasant populations have 
declined in Kyushu and Honshu. In its effort to offset these decreases in 
population, the Wildlife Section of Japan has increased artificial propa- 
gation and created additional wildlife reserves and sanctuaries. Further 
increases in human population may well hinder the maintenance of adequate 
numbers of green pheasants in Japan. 
