Early Spring Observations

[gjw]

Hello all, well, winter for sure is over (I think!). We've been getting plenty of rain, which means good cover. It's been on the cooler side, but warming up. So, if the weather holds (no major storms, heat waves or cold snaps), there should be a good nesting.

The winter carry over was verygood and I've been seeing a lot birds on the road lately and they are pairing up. I've even seen a few roosters with 2 or 3 hens. That's really good!

If as I said the weather holds thru the brood season, I think we'll have a banner season.

I'll try and give some more updates as the year continues.

Best Regards to all of you!

Greg

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

Thanks Greg it feels good to hear positive news.

 

[Foggy1956]

Thanks Greg it feels good to hear positive news.

Yep, I was waiting on baited breath

 

[gjw]

Thanks and my pleasure my good friends!

 

[nickmqt]

Thanks for the update it's been pretty quiet. already excited

 

[2setters]

Thanks for the report. It's a quite time of the year, nice to hear some good news.

 

[dustin mudd]

How has rain been last two weeks? Any downpours?

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

Updates? I saw my first duck with young today so there must be some pheasant chicks on the ground. Hope all is well with you.

 

[NDPheasant]

My dogs have to be walked and are allowed to run through grasses along the roads we walk. They are kicking up great numbers of birds but I have yet to see any chicks. I had one nest literally 100 yards from our patio that had 16 eggs. We did our best to keep the dogs away. We did notice one day all the eggs were open/hatched? The eggs did not present like a predator got them but rather hatched but I am no expert. I would say we are setting up for another good, healthy hatch and a great fall.

 

[zoops]

Today could be a pivotal day for our hatch. Most of the state in the 50's for highs (barely) and wet. Frost advisory for the western third of the state, pretty rare for June 18.

 

[Foggy1956]

Today could be a pivotal day for our hatch. Most of the state in the 50's for highs (barely) and wet. Frost advisory for the western third of the state, pretty rare for June 18.

Thanks for the update, good luck

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

Real nice crowing counts. Now for a good hatch.

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

Thanks and my pleasure my good friends!

So a relative normal spring or some questionable weather? The little fuzz balls should be showing now.

 

[Labs]

I live SW of Dickinson. We've gotten some severe storms with hail and heavy rain fall the last couple weeks. a few days ago found a dead hen in the yard after one that produced golf ball sized hail, I believe she was trying to get to my trees for cover and didn't make it. My labs got some dead bird training that day. Started seeing hens with chicks a week or so back, but overall, no telling yet how bad the weather knocked down the local hatch. adult roosters seem to have come through OK, the drive into town ever morning is a pheasant slalom course.

 

[Foggy1956]

How's the grasshopper hatch, asking for a friend?

 

[MN guy]

How's the grasshopper hatch, asking for a friend?

Or more to the point, how were the sharpie and pheasant hatches?

 

[Foggy1956]

Or more to the point, how were the sharpie and pheasant hatches?

Actually, I'm more curious about the grasshopper hatch

 

[Labs]

Actually, I'm more curious about the grasshopper hatch

Haven't seen a hopper SW of Dix. And I do mean not a one...

Pheasant hatch down here is good, seeing lots of hens with chicks driving to/from town. Plenty of roosters too. Never a lot of sharps in the area around my place but the hun numbers look good. I think it will be a very good season. I'm looking forward to giving my new Orion 20 gauge an early season workout...

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

Well? The brood counts should be out shortly and what are you locals seeing. I talked to a farmer where I hunt and he thought it looked good, however another one thought the cold spring was hard on the chicks.