Pheasant Counts Out Today

[Scott M]

Let me guess, another year with bird oasis' around Hutchinson and New Ulm (McLeod and Brown counties)? And there will be super low counts in Jackson and Nobles counties, right? Anyone want to bet me? It's the same every year, the birds per square mile correlations made from these counts just doesn't work. But with two counts in a county what can you expect? The maps don't even match up to where the habitat is. I don't even know why I'll bother to look at it. I do believe the western edge will be good, hopefully they get that part right.

Here's the 2011 map so you can compare.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/recreation/hunting/pheasant/prospect_map.pdf

[fishadb]

Out here in western MN I think hunting will be ok. Lots of young roosters with color and some just starting to change. Have seen a lot of groups with really young ones that will not make it through the winter though.

[Scott K]

I have seen many more this season than last around here. Still down considerably from 4-5 years ago.

[Scott M]

Minnesota’s pheasant index up 68 percent from 2011

MN DNR News

September 4, 2012

A mild winter followed by a warm spring contributed to a significant increase in Minnesota’s pheasant count, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The pheasant population index increased 68 percent from 2011. Pheasant hunters are expected to harvest about 290,000 roosters this fall. That’s up from last year’s estimated harvest of 204,000 but roughly half the number taken during the 2005-2008 seasons when hunting was exceptionally good.

“While the 2012 increase reflects movement in a positive direction, the counts still remain 51 percent below the 10-year average,” said Kurt Haroldson, the DNR biologist who compiled the survey.

While favorable weather worked in the birds’ favor this year, their long-term success is more closely linked to habitat than annual variations in snowfall, rainfall and temperature.

“The state’s pheasant population is linked more closely to quantity and quality of habitat than annual differences in weather,” Haroldson said.

The pheasant population estimate is part of the DNR’s annual roadside wildlife survey. The survey summarizes roadside counts of pheasants, gray (Hungarian) partridge, cottontail rabbits, white-tailed jackrabbits and other wildlife observed in the early morning hours during the first half of August throughout the farmland region of Minnesota.

The highest pheasant counts were in the west central region, where observers reported 58 birds per 100 miles of survey driven. Hunters will find good harvest opportunities in portions of west central, east central and southwest Minnesota.

The most important habitat for pheasants is grassland that remains undisturbed during the nesting season. Protected grasslands account for about 6 percent of the state’s pheasant range. Farmland retirement programs such as Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CRP), Reinvest in Minnesota and Wetlands Reserve Program make up the largest portion of protected grasslands in the state.

High land rental rates and competing uses for farmland diminish the economic attractiveness of farmland conservation programs. During the next three years, contracts for 620,000 acres of CRP lands are scheduled to expire. If not re-enrolled, this would reduce CRP acres in Minnesota by 42 percent.

Minnesota’s pheasant population largely has mirrored what’s happened on the land.

“Pheasant numbers were higher during the small, diversified farming days from roughly 1931 to 1964 when habitat was more abundant,” Haroldson said. “Pheasant numbers declined during the intensive farming boom from 1965-1986 as field sizes grew and habitat shrank. Then, pheasant numbers rebounded when CRP began in 1987. However, enrollment in that program peaked several years ago, and further declines will not bode well for future pheasant populations.”

To help offset continued habitat losses caused by reductions in conservation set-aside acreage, DNR has accelerated acquisition of wildlife management areas in the farmland region of Minnesota. DNR also supports habitat conservation on private lands by working with a variety of partners in the Farm Bill Assistance Partnership and Working Lands Initiative. More than 15,000 acres of private property have been opened to public hunting through the state’s Walk-In Access program.

The August roadside survey, which began in the late 1940s, was standardized in 1955. DNR conservation officers and wildlife managers in the farmland region of Minnesota conduct the survey during the first half of August. This year’s survey consisted of 171 routes, each 25 miles long, with 152 routes located in the ring-necked pheasant range. The complete report is available online.

Observers drive each route in early morning and record the number and species of wildlife they see. The data provide an index of relative abundance and are used to monitor annual changes and long term trends in populations of ring-necked pheasants, gray partridge, eastern cottontail rabbits, white tailed jackrabbits and other select wildlife species.

The gray partridge index also increased from last year and is similar to the 10-year average. The cottontail rabbit index remains below the 10-year and long-term average. The jackrabbit index was 96 percent below the long-term average. Finally, the mourning dove index was 36 percent above last year but similar to the 10-year average.

[harvey lee]

I have seen many more this season than last around here. Still down considerably from 4-5 years ago.

I drive the gravels in my area alot in the am and later in the day and I have seen very few birds from this spring till now.

I did not look at the roadside counts for the bird population as I am on the roads many miles and if I am seeing next to nothing I highly doubt that anyone else is. I believe I have seen a few more birds this summer but not enough to get excited about going out.

The farmers I have talked to tell me about the same report on the bird population.

If it went up 100%, that would be great but it has a looong ways to go to get to a number that I will bother to go out again in my home range.

With that said, a few soft winters and a few good springs and we could have a good huntable numbers again.

Last fall was the first season I did not hunt since I was probably 15, 44 years ago. Looks like it will be 2 straight for me this year. More archery hunting this fall I guess.

[fishadb]

There wasn't very many dewey mornings to send the birds out on the roads this summer, I have been combining navy and black beans and have seen better numbers than the last few years. About six years ago you could shoot two roosters before you got 50 yards from the pickup, that was almost too easy.

[harvey lee]

Yes, they can be very hard to see this time of year. I have 2 friends are are rural mail cariers and they typically know what is out there right along with the farmers.

Thats who I go by for my wildlife reports.

[certified jumbo]

I'm actually counting the days till opener. Many birds in our area, hatch seemed really good. I've seen more birds this year than any year I can remember. The other guys on our PF committee have said the same.

While i agree, counts are never going to be fully accurate, i do think numbers are going to be up this year.

[jdog]

i really dont understand the reasoning for not making it out for a good day of hunting pheasants just cause the #s are down i mean its all about the outing with buddys watching the dogs work and seeing how happy the dog is to be out with you id be out there no matter the #s but i guess this is from a city slicker that loves the outdoors

[Eric Wettschreck]

there will be super low counts in Jackson and Nobles counties, right? Anyone want to bet me?

Scott, don't even bother heading down this fall. There are no birds around here.

Just kidding, there are sparrows everywhere.

I know it's really the only/best way of doing things, but I don't put much stock in the roadside counts. There's just so much cover out there with the crops in the fields that the counts can't be anywhere accurate. Again, like I said, it's prolly the best way to count em but it can't be accurate.

Only one way to find out.

[harvey lee]

quote=jdog]i really dont understand the reasoning for not making it out for a good day of hunting pheasants just cause the #s are down i mean its all about the outing with buddys watching the dogs work and seeing how happy the dog is to be out with you id be out there no matter the #s but i guess this is from a city slicker that loves the outdoors

[chasineyes]

Quote:

i really dont understand the reasoning for not making it out for a good day of hunting pheasants just cause the #s are down i mean its all about the outing with buddys watching the dogs work and seeing how happy the dog is to be out with you id be out there no matter the #s but i guess this is from a city slicker that loves the outdo

I agree!! I'm looking forward to going out with my new doggie and maybe the daughter and just spending a day walking and talking and watching doggie run wild. It's either that or washing windows or I guess fishing.

[chasineyes]

Harvey...what part of SC MN do you live by? I grew up in Janesville.

[Scott K]

Fall is a hard time for me, there is just to many things to do, and not enough time to do it.

First you have Goose hunting, small game, Bow hunting, pheasant hunting, duck hunting, coon hunting, predator hunting, trapping, slug hunting, Wisconsin gun and bow hunting, I also like to sneak in some fall walleye fishing.

A typical weekend in the fall for me.

Wake up early morning, bow hunt until 10 am, come home, grab the dog and the shotgun, walk a few fields for pheasants until 2pm, come home, drop off the dogs, eat something, go back into the woods bow hunting. Come home after dark, eat again, load up the coon dogs, go out coon hunting until 1am. Go home sleep a couple hours, and repeat. By mid day Sunday, I am dreaming of work on Monday, so I can get some rest.

Do I care if I dont shoot my limit of birds every day, no. But my dogs get pretty bored if they are just walking around a field all fall long, and there arent any birds for them. I have the dogs, so I will be going out whether the bird numbers are low or not, but if I cant find them birds, I buy some for them, and hunt them.

[raymondk]

i wish there counts were worst then they are less hunters is always nicer.

[PurpleFloyd]

For me there are 2 seasons a year- pheasant season and the off season.Glad it is time for a change in the seasons.

[Mr.Seaguar]

I wouldnt take a farmers word for it anymore. fields are clean, they see the combine coming 500 yds away and walk away from it. not like when it had to be on top of them and they flew away from it out of fear. dry years the birds dont come to the road. go look after a rain.

[BLACKJACK]

Fall is a hard time for me, there is just to many things to do, and not enough time to do it.

[muc33]

Say what you want about the roadside count, but I can tell you the numbers in Nobles county are much improved from what I have seen. Does that mean they are spectacular, NO, but they are looking pretty good if you ask me. Key being, if you want to hunt, you will be able to find birds. If you expect to hop out of your truck, scurry on a ditch and pop 2 birds, sorry, you'll likely be disappointed. But in general, I have seen and continue to see decent numbers. We have over 2300 acres of public habitat hunting in our county, and it proves good, habitat is where it's at. The harvest is 50% or better as of today, and will be almost complete by October 6 with the forcast we have and crop moisture. So, no excuses for anyone. Grab a gun, get down here, have a safe hunt!

[rundrave]

I live in a rural area in SD. I run my dogs daily, I cant even to begin to think of how many miles my 2 dogs and I have traveled on gravel roads.

Sure we find birds in the ditches here and there and if I based my decision get out based off of how many birds I saw along the road I would have mistakenly missed out on a lot of good memories.

Its almost time guys!

[CodyDawg]

I cannot remember how many farmers I have asked and they said they havent seen any birds, but go ahead and hunt. Then the birds are thick. Amazingly though, the roadside counts the DNR does track pretty well with the harvest.

[CANOPY SAM]

I recently noticed, on a map indicating bird densities throughout the state of Minnesota, that a large area between Fergus Falls and Alexandria was showing something like 40+ birds per square mile. I'm not very well versed in pheasant population numbers, but apparently this is very good?

Do any of you ever hunt in this area, and are there state land, private land opportunities in the area for the average hunter to have a chance at a few wild birds?