Just a bad time to get into pheasant hunting in Colo. since the drought is really taking a toll on the bird numbers. Same in western KS. But if ya gotta go, I'd suggest waiting until a good snow falls. Nothing better at stopping the running bandits from running so much. And the snow makes finding them a lot easier, especially without a dog. If I had a choice of opening weekend or late season with snow, I'd go late season. Small game license is all you need.