Where Have All the Birds Gone?

BritChaser

Well-known member
We all know about the dearth of pheasants. Just heard from a friend who visited fam in southern Utah which is quail and chukar country. Bird population way down there too. What is happening? Something is wrong on a widespread basis. Any ideas?
 
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I know the quail are way down in Arizona due to the extreme heat and dry conditions the past couple of years. That could also effect southern Utah. Where are you saying pheasant number are also down?
 
I know the quail are way down in Arizona due to the extreme heat and dry conditions the past couple of years. That could also effect southern Utah. Where are you saying pheasant number are

Number of pheasants looks crazy good here....NW Iowa. Not sure what you are referring to.
I'll be up
 
I know the quail are way down in Arizona due to the extreme heat and dry conditions the past couple of years. That could also effect southern Utah. Where are you saying pheasant number are also down?
Kansas, Nebraska, and S. Dakota
 
Kansas, Nebraska, and S. Dakota
I agree, leave SD out of this. While SD may not have the numbers it has had in the past it's far from the critical situation you are implying.
 
In Iowa's case - it is pretty simple. Where there is habitat, and quite a bit of it, the birds flourish. Where it is very isolated and not much habitat, the birds are harder to find, but still around. Even with the ups and downs of weather, etc., the places that have high-quality habitat have a bunch of birds.
 
Iowa is making huge improvements, SD is better today than five years ago (not 30), and I think MN is getting better. It is all about habitat, habitat, habitat, and mild winters. But great habitat can minimize the effects of a harsh winter.
 
Agreed. Carryover through winter along Hwy 9 between Sioux Falls & Okoboji was incredible. I'm seeing way, WAY more than ever before. Which means they were around last season too!
I'll be up
 
My uncle had strong feelings it was paraquat.
He passed away a couple of months ago. Brain cancer, glioma. His brother died from Parkinson’s.
When I was a kid I remember crushing 5 gallon steel Paraquat cans with a tractor (Oliver 1955 MFWD) so they could go to the scrap recycler. We only use Paraquet 1-2 seasons if I remember right. I don't worry about Parkinson's but when ever I hear Paraquet I start thinking again.
 
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