NW ND prairie bird count dropped significantly

[nickmqt]

NDGF Upland survey is out

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

If I’m reading it right pheasants are down about 30% in the northwest, matching the big drops in sharpies and Huns. Rest of the state is close to the same, even up a little.

 

[Headin west]

Northwest all the land is e-posted, WPA's have been drained by oil companies. Phez, Sharps, and huns all killed by hail. Population is up in Pembina of course!

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

Yes almost all the land is e-posted and good luck getting on that even if you can track down the owner. The drought is what drained the puddles. Just more steps.

 

[Headin west]

I was referencing this podcast on the WPA drainage.

The Western Wingshooter Podcast: Waterfowl Production Area Distruction!

Wess and George join me to chat about the Waterfowl Production Areas right here in our neighborhood that are being drained by oil companies to frac their wells. After contacting the Game and fish and the state water commission we decided this was a matter that the hunting public should know about.

westernwingshooter.libsyn.com

 

[BRITTMAN]

It is no secret that the past 2-3 years in NW ND have been pretty crazy good.

e-posting is changing things a bunch

NW ND was phenomenal pheasant hunting before the sloughs recharged in the early 90s.

 

[Foggy1956]

Last few years our part of the NW has been over run with hunters. Significantly more than anytime in the last 30 years.

 

[BRITTMAN]

At one time NW ND was quietly a great place to run dogs and shoot pheasants. It was a zoo opening weekend (mostly ND residents from Williston, Minot and parts in between) ... then pretty quiet as geese entered the state in mass and deer season came next.

When the Bakken was renewed and first going strong ... it was nearly impossible for NRs or even people from eastern ND to find lodging to hunt. Had family in the "vicinity" so that was never an issue.

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

At one time NW ND was quietly a great place to run dogs and shoot pheasants. It was a zoo opening weekend (mostly ND residents from Williston, Minot and parts in between) ... then pretty quiet as geese entered the state in mass and deer season came next.

When the Bakken was renewed and first going strong ... it was nearly impossible for NRs or even people from eastern ND to find lodging to hunt. Had family in the "vicinity" so that was never an issue.

Yep pre Bakken it was no problem to get a room that took dogs any time. Then there was no rooms, but still good access. Now with e-posting access is tough but rooms are more available.