BritChaser
Well-known member
It's out for 2025. Does anyone put any store in this "data."
Phez Crow Count Survey
- Thread starter BritChaser
- Start date
BrownDogsCan2
Well-known member
I think the 30 year graph is pretty accurate. But I wouldnt stay away from or make a special trip based only off of count.
Powderhorn Jim
Active member
It indicates a trend. Part of the total package of information you need to plan a hunt.
Carguy2Banker
Well-known member
Looking at the data, it appears that it contains some accuracy based on what I am seeing (and hearing in the mornings) in the counties surrounding me. However, the route in my specific county, was in an area that I feel had our lowest bird population as there it's not as much irrigation and/or the better habitat, therefore lower total crow counts overall. I'm sure it's all relative, so if that area improved, so did the "pocket" areas that have held most of the birds for many years. I'm expecting this year to be better than last, and last year was REALLY good!
Chessie 67
Well-known member
Isn’t the Crow Count more reflective of last season’s population? If the survey was conducted in July, probably not a lot of this year’s birds are crowing?
Yes it is. "The survey period was from April 25 through May 15, 2025." Also, "The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) collects breeding population data for pheasant(Phasianus colchicus) by conducting crow counts throughout the pheasant range in the state."
The crow counts and also the Bobwhite whistle counts are solely about measuring breeding stock going into breeding season. In other words it last year's population that made through the hunting season, the winter, and natural predation.
At some point before the season they'll release the "brood survey" and the "forecast". The brood survey is the scientific document that's based on post-breeding roadside observations: "Dates for the 2024 summer brood survey were from July 20 – August 31 (6 weeks)." So they probably just wrapped up the brood survey. It will be a while before they release it. I expect there to be some mention of heavy cover making it hard to see the broods.
The "forecast" is the marketing spin. I never pay much attention to that.
