2012 Warm Spring & Nesting Pheasants

[1pheas4]

Many of us are experiencing a very mild/early spring. If this keeps up without the down pouring rains many of us have received the past few springs, we may see a nice bump in our bird #'s.


Pheasants Forever article on our warm weather; http://www.pheasantblog.org/bstpierre/will-the-early-arrival-of-spring-produce-more-pheasants/

 

[GSP]

not to mention the good carry over from a mild winter.

crossing fingers!

 

[mnmthunting]

Sure has been a Winter/Spring for the birds.
Roosters are crowing like crazy up here, close to 2-3 weeks early I guess.
Wonder if the early nesting might mean fewer numbers in the broods? More nests lost to chance of cold rain wind chill etc.
Still no doubt some cold fronts, wet snow and crap going to come down through the North Country.

April 09 we had 2 major blizzards across N MN ND and MT. 1ft plus snow and -0 windchill.

 

[1pheas4]

Sure has been a Winter/Spring for the birds.
Roosters are crowing like crazy up here, close to 2-3 weeks early I guess.
Wonder if the early nesting might mean fewer numbers in the broods? More nests lost to chance of cold rain wind chill etc.
Still no doubt some cold fronts, wet snow and crap going to come down through the North Country.

April 09 we had 2 major blizzards across N MN ND and MT. 1ft plus snow and -0 windchill.

Let's keep our fingers crossed Mnm. For us (N. IL) it's been those down pouring rains that have been the killer. Though, God knows we've had some nasty April snows too.

We've been in a very wet pattern the past few years. No good for nests/chicks.

Time will tell what's going to happen.

 

[wisturkeyhunter]

I'd really have to see multiple hens on nest before I believe they were doing it early. Daylight is what is supposed to kick start the breeding cycle and warmer temps don't change the amount of daylight. Grouse are drumming but not as frequent as they will in mid april. Turkeys seem to be still be flocked here and although you can make them gobble they aren't intense as they will be in a couple weeks. Starting to see more pairs of geese,and ducks but there is still some groups hanging around. Same as every other year.

 

[mnmthunting]

I believe it is daylight that creates the hormone change.
Nutrition certainly plays a part.
No doubt can vary a bit with an unusually mild Spring.
No way a month, maybe a week or 2? Guess we'll see.:cheers:

Like the deer rut here in NC MN. Folks are saying it's early, it's late, blah blah blah.
I've studied it for 40 years, not talking about the "chase" here. Does are receptive Nov 7-10th at the ranch year after year.
-20 or 60 above.

Yeah probably not quite the same as with pheasants.
You do have to "trust nature" as far as the wild life is concerned. What a mess we would have.