Prairie Bird Hunter
New member
I am probably thinking a little too hard today and wonder what your think the effects are of the corn harvest and available habitat has on the overall pheasant movement or density. Some of my posed questions are basically the same but with a twist on the scenario. I should probably separate the questions into their own threads but collectively I think they work together. I know there are lots of variables but that is what makes it interesting. So based on your experience lets hear what you think. I'll provide my opinion/experience based on hunting MN, ND and SD.
Do you think birds are more likely to stay close to a good food source or good winter cover? (We all like to have our cake and eat it to but if you don’t have food and cover in close proximity what do you feel wins out? Habitat or Food)
Overall habitat wins every time! But I’ll take both please
If you have a good food source (standing corn) and the birds are using marginal cover next to it because it is close, what happens when that corn field is harvested? Are the birds conditioned to the marginal cover or do they find better cover that could be a mile away?
I think so but it takes a couple days to a week for them change the habit and relocate.
In general how far do you think pheasants will travel to get food?
As little as possible is the easy answer but I would guess most often it is less than a quarter mile but up to mile.
How big or small is a pheasant’s home range?
I am sure the spring breeding season changes the home range dramatically. In the fall I am not sure but I think as they get pressured by hunters and harvesters they can range maybe up to 2 miles but much less most of the time.
Does it seem that certain late season covers are always productive no mater the availability of food?
I think winter roosting grounds are pretty much the same every year. In the area I hunt most, show me the biggest cattail slough and most often you’ll find the highest bird density. This might be because I hunt the same sloughs every year but I also think it is because it has the best cover.
Is the slough good every year because the cover is good and the birds have less winter mortality than other areas?
I believe it is. Obviously Mother Nature can alter things but overall I’ll hunt an area heavy in cattails before I hunt a area heavy with grass in late season.
Do pheasants hatched on one section stay there or would those pheasants move to greener pastures that are 2 or more miles way?
Not sure. I think early in the season the brood does stay close to home but as they get hunted I think they travel around.
Anyone know of any scientific studies done on the migration of pheasants so to speak?
I don’t but I would be interested in reading them if any exist.
Sorry that is like 8 threads in one
Do you think birds are more likely to stay close to a good food source or good winter cover? (We all like to have our cake and eat it to but if you don’t have food and cover in close proximity what do you feel wins out? Habitat or Food)
Overall habitat wins every time! But I’ll take both please
If you have a good food source (standing corn) and the birds are using marginal cover next to it because it is close, what happens when that corn field is harvested? Are the birds conditioned to the marginal cover or do they find better cover that could be a mile away?
I think so but it takes a couple days to a week for them change the habit and relocate.
In general how far do you think pheasants will travel to get food?
As little as possible is the easy answer but I would guess most often it is less than a quarter mile but up to mile.
How big or small is a pheasant’s home range?
I am sure the spring breeding season changes the home range dramatically. In the fall I am not sure but I think as they get pressured by hunters and harvesters they can range maybe up to 2 miles but much less most of the time.
Does it seem that certain late season covers are always productive no mater the availability of food?
I think winter roosting grounds are pretty much the same every year. In the area I hunt most, show me the biggest cattail slough and most often you’ll find the highest bird density. This might be because I hunt the same sloughs every year but I also think it is because it has the best cover.
Is the slough good every year because the cover is good and the birds have less winter mortality than other areas?
I believe it is. Obviously Mother Nature can alter things but overall I’ll hunt an area heavy in cattails before I hunt a area heavy with grass in late season.
Do pheasants hatched on one section stay there or would those pheasants move to greener pastures that are 2 or more miles way?
Not sure. I think early in the season the brood does stay close to home but as they get hunted I think they travel around.
Anyone know of any scientific studies done on the migration of pheasants so to speak?
I don’t but I would be interested in reading them if any exist.
Sorry that is like 8 threads in one
