SD Weather Bodes Well for Pheasants

UGUIDE

UGUIDE

Active member
Wow! Going to be 45 degrees in Lake Andes on Feb 3rd. Looks like we have another mild winter under our belts for 2013. Big storm season still ahead.

Even checking moisture amounts for Dec. and Jan is about 70% of average. which is bad for farmers but good for birds.

I am praying for this winter trend to continue.

Semi dry spring and semi dry summer could equal pheasant boom.
 
I thought the same thing here! It works better on quail, the pheasants did not prosper, but it was hotter here. I did some research and thought the dry weather, no cold rains, etc. would be beneficial. Was for the quail. But we are so far down now population wise, to see the basement.
 
Two inches of snow overnight--it's been warm with most of old snow gone:D:D
 
Seven inches of wet snow yesterday. We will see if it blows or stays put. It will cover some feed. I think last year proved that moisture makes pheasants if it is not too much.
 
Thank you for the updates! I'm very seriously considering my first hunting trip ever to SD this coming fall and I'd be coming from quite a distance so reports on conditions are very much appreciated!:thumbsup:
 
UGUIDE said:
I am praying for this winter trend to continue.

Semi dry spring and semi dry summer could equal pheasant boom.
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That would equal habitat death. If you want long term numbers you had better hope for a wet spring so those cattails can grow back. If you want long term bird numbers you need cattails.
 
In south central SD last year (2012) we had ideal conditions up until fathers day. Perfect hatch conditions but not perfect brood rearing conditions. Too much dry and heat.

I know we had a good hatch but the mortality was probably less than what I thought it would be based on how extreme the conditions were from June 15 thru rest of summer.

Another camp we have had zero insects and yet our place had a lot of hoppers which might have made the difference.

We're almost into Feb and so far pretty stress free winter for the birds. Meaning mild temps, and easy access to food for the most part. Even a reasonable amount of moisture coming in from time to time.
 
UGUIDE said:
They don't have any cattails west river. I've seen the sky turn black a time or two.
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I am sure that is true but for the eastern 1/3 of the state sloughs are vital. A hatch does no good if they are dead that winter.
 
Cattails are an important part of the habitat, during snow and cold periods and security most anytime. So are brushy coulees, shelter belts etc.
we need moisture for good healthy grasslands, nesting and brooding.
Moisture is best coming in easy spring rains that soak into the roots.
Snow with a crust on the ground is in many cases run off, good for potholes and not that great for a lot of the pheasant range. Better for the Wintering birds to have little snow with periods of melt during the Winter months. Bare ground is very important as far as grasslands and Wintering Pheasants are concerned. Those of You that do the work to make year around cover are going to have tons of pheasants.:)

From what I gather Dakotas and Montana are having a better then average Winter for the birds so far.:thumbsup:
 
When old man winter comes a growling and howling I have never seen anything so loaded with pheasants as a good old mature cedar grove.

Granted cattails can be loaded too but like I said, two years ago I learned that they have a limiting factor that can also be managed to by establishing woody cover on the property.

We're also lucky the snow hasn't mashed down the CRP as there was no growth in it to speak. It was all two year old standing litter.
 
Those CRP fields in Eastern Montana last Spring were packed with old growth litter. Pheasants and Sharptail had amazing success with nesting and broods.
In one year from Fall 2011 with low bird numbers 2012 with some of the best numbers ever! Ask any of the UPH members that have been hunting up there.:thumbsup:

And as Chris sez, those heavy shelter areas, Cedars, Russian Olives, etc saved the pheasant population. With around a hundred inches of snow all the cattails along with all the grasslands were snowed over by late Nov. (That was the Winter 2010-2011).
The woody cover including stuff like cedar is a must for long a long term pheasant population.
 
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