Im in NE Ohio Medina COunty we own a 50acre farm 18 woods rest hay fields the back field is 15 acres boardered on one side by a 15 or so acre woods the ohter a 3 - 4 patch of trees and scrub that butts onto a big corn / beans field I was pondering if the back 15 acre field wouldnt make nice pheasant habitat seems plenty of food with the corn / bean field if I were to cut the hay late or even put in a meadow good nesting and the woods with some brush piles placed in it would be good winter cover... I dont know why OHIO cant keep birds and snow and cold aint a reason if Wisconsin and lord Iowa or SD can have em we ought to be able to too...
how many acres is enough to start a pheasant habitat
- Thread starter arch_cpj
- Start date
I don't know about NE Ohio but NW Ohio back in the 1970's had a strong population. I hunted there many times, and saw lots birds. As far as habitat size, If you are working on a project on an island, as in there is very little or no habitat in the area surrounding it that support pheasants, than it takes a large block of ground to make an impact. In areas where there is supporting habitat in the surrounding area, very small tracts can dramatically enhance the overall population. I'm sure the habitat experts on here can tell you the why's and wherefore's. Good Luck.
we are in Medina county North east to north central Ohio I was told that up til 77 / 78 there was a real good pop here now I tend to think we have potential we mow the hay late and let the bobolinks get done we only thake 2 cuttings with 2nd done late august so hay will always bee there... corn / beans are close and anothe 100 acres of hay across the street
mnmthunting
Banned
Hay fields are OK as far as nesting pheasants. Cut hay fields are poor habitat.
Standing uncut grassland is the best. If you cut the grasslands don't expect to have year round pheasant populations.
Wood land is poor pheasant habitat. Scattered brush and brushpiles within the grasslands makes for good pheasant cover.
Standing uncut grassland is the best. If you cut the grasslands don't expect to have year round pheasant populations.
Wood land is poor pheasant habitat. Scattered brush and brushpiles within the grasslands makes for good pheasant cover.
Anything is better than nothing. To have the greatest impact you should spend some time researching the habitat needs of pheasants at varying times of the year and evaluate the land surrounding yours. Then plug the lowest hole in the bucket. 
The PF website(s) have a lot of good information on the key habitat needs of pheasants (nesting, brooding, winter, food source). I have far less land than you to work with, but I've already measured some small amount of success via additions of brooding cover and a winter food source placed near my neighbors land who doesn't do anything purposely for pheasants, but has suitable winter cover for them.
The PF website(s) have a lot of good information on the key habitat needs of pheasants (nesting, brooding, winter, food source). I have far less land than you to work with, but I've already measured some small amount of success via additions of brooding cover and a winter food source placed near my neighbors land who doesn't do anything purposely for pheasants, but has suitable winter cover for them.
UGUIDE
Active member
Arch, MNMT is right. I heard once that 20 acres of habitat could carry a population of birds for a township (that's 36 sections). Source was Iowa DNR. I tend to agree but only in regards to the quality of that 20 acres.
At a minimum you would need 20 contiguous acres of dense high quality undisturbed diverse nesting cover. I put all these words in the previous sentence becuase they are important and critical. other wildlife will also benefit from these acres.
UGUIDE
Active member
1GB, I respectfully disagree. Not that you have the same attitude as farmers but this strikes me as the mindset that some farmers have and say like "leave a little for the birds" as if that was sufficient and they were making a real difference. We need to come to grips with fact that pheasants and other wildlife need ALOT and that leaving a little is nothing more than a feel good delusion.
Jim Wooley wrote an excellent articel in the last issue of PF magazine about the myths of pheasan stocking and what a vast waste of time of money and energy that is where results are concerned for sustainable native pheasant populations.
More people need to take a stance like Jim on just what are rock bottom minimums for sustaining wild pheasant populations.
I think that our interpretations of my original phrase differ. My intention was that doing *something* at least presents an increased chance over doing nothing. I never meant to imply that doing a small deed will guarantee success. I certainly agree that more is better.
I also think its unclear from the original post if there are birds in the area already or not. If there are not, yes the minimum is important and far greater IMO than what the OP has proposed setting aside for habitat. If there are already birds in the surrounding area, anything will only add to what is already present. I was assuming that there are at least a few birds in the area.
UGUIDE
Active member
1GB, I agree. I thought that might be what you were referring too. It is of utmost importance to have some seed birds in any vs. trying to establish from nothing which is a much different scenario. I know PF will not release trapped birds without a fairly significant committment to quality habitat acres in that area of release.
there are very few native birds in the area We have a back field about 10 acres or so that borders a low scrub land full or multifloral rose etc about impenatrable to large animals this strip then abuts a 150 acre corn field / bean field to the rear is a wetland area and the back is woods as is the side area my thoughts were to convert the 10 acre hay field to a meadow of native grrasses / forbs with the clover left... I would like to think the area would be good habitat...
I don't know about woodland being poor habitat for pheasants. I guess it depends on how you define "woodland." Like a forest or a grouse type area? I have a skinny strip of trees along a small creek which borders a neighbors browsed hay field. Only about 5 acres which is definately not a big area for habitat, right? Funny that it holds at least 30 to 40 pheasants all year round if not more during the spring. They roost in the tree's and hide under dead fall. The main things I see are Water, cover, and feed. Seriously, sometimes we feed into this too much that people give up. Most people don't have the money or time to create perfect habitat for pheasant. I agree with 1GB that little is better than none where there are at least some wild pheasants.
mnmthunting
Banned
If you can get that 10 acre hay field into some good native grasses. Clover is ok, sweet clover is better with alfalfa. DO NOT mow or burn the grasses. Let it stand year around. Pheasants need the grassland, if you cut or burn it there's a void. Sounds like your in a area with limited nesting/brood rearing. Cover sounds good enough. If there are skunks, raccoons, cats and other egg and chick eaters around it's pretty much a lost cause. Good luck with your project.
I disagree. I know most studies say that trapping isn't going to help. Last year I removed 22 nest predators from ~10 acres over ~5 weeks where I focused my efforts. This year either I am doing something wrong or I made a dent last year, but I'm ~3 weeks in and have only taken 5. This summer is also the first time I've seen any young pheasants on my place in years. Perhaps it's a coincidence, then again perhaps it's not.
captaincoot
Banned
Kill a furry beast and save a pheasant
Prairie Drifter
Well-known member
MNMT, he has to burn that grass to maintain it in nesting condition. Grass is most productive the first 2-3 years post burn. My recommendation is to cut it in half or thirds and burn 1 portion of it each year. The burned unit will function as brood-rearing habitat the year of the burn and will be winter cover by that first winter.
UGUIDE
Active member
PD, I agree that the first year growth stuff is best whether fallow, weeds or CRP. I got 4 blocks of CRP set to burn next spring. It has been productive but is also ready for a burn. I think there is something to this mid-contract management practice.
mnmthunting
Banned
I think spot burning would be OK. This is 10 acres, what birds are there will be more concentrated after burns or grass cutting. Pheasants need old growth grass for nesting and brood raising.
Depends on what your after I guess. Fall pheasant cover or Spring nesting cover.
Prairie Drifter
Well-known member
Either way MNMT, left too long that grass will not be suitable for nesting and will become a death trap for the chicks. He should try to keep the grass stand less than 4 years behind fire.
mnmthunting
Banned
I have to wonder why? Say out there in Western ND and Eastern Montana.
I've been hunting these same grasslands for some 40 years. Always healthy game bird populations. Nope! no burning, never seen it.
Guess what? grasslands are in GREAT shape. These grasslands are not native. Are old small farm, small grain producing areas. Top soil blown away by the 1930's-40's. Then seeded into whatever grass seed available, cheapest. Including heirloom alfalfa, stiff stems and tall bushy plants, these heirloom varieties are tough and seed heavily making for great Winter cover and a cold and windy area.
Burning these grasslands would be an end to the game birds.
I've been hunting these same grasslands for some 40 years. Always healthy game bird populations. Nope! no burning, never seen it.
Guess what? grasslands are in GREAT shape. These grasslands are not native. Are old small farm, small grain producing areas. Top soil blown away by the 1930's-40's. Then seeded into whatever grass seed available, cheapest. Including heirloom alfalfa, stiff stems and tall bushy plants, these heirloom varieties are tough and seed heavily making for great Winter cover and a cold and windy area.
Burning these grasslands would be an end to the game birds.