Just received a notice that the 2018 survey has been released. Quite a jump in the pheasant population, especially the eastern part of the state.
The report doesn't AT ALL say there's a jump in population. It simply says that they counted more pheasants per mile on the routes they surveyed during that time. The brood count survey report is AT BEST a vague indicator of what MIGHT be going on with the pheasant population. Yep, it's all some of you have to go on, but just know that it's nearly meaningless.
It is important to note that the 47% increase looks big because it is based on a very small number from 2017. Still 20% lower than 2016 numbers (which was not a banner year) and 2018 is the 3rd lowest PPM number in the last 20+ years.
Not trying to be a pessimist - good to see the directional trend up. Just pointing out that we have a long way to go to get back to 'normal' SD populations.
It is interesting how the SE part of the state rebounded. That was an area where they were concerned with all the spring rain.
Yep, there's something about it. Just one pretty one busting out of a bent over pile of cattails & snow after Buzz decides "Yep, he's definitely in there" & barrels in after him boosts my heart rate & excitement level like nothing else. Can't wait.seeing a few dozen erupt from a few acre slough or food plot or tree belt still makes me act in ways that are hard to understand!!!!��
Mike----Give me a call. I lost your cell phone #I've been out there monthly since april...I talk to farmers out there weekly... this is a reflection of what's really happening...i watch the weather daily....mild winter, kind of a cool april/early may, pretty ideal summer, though N and NW had some dry, hot conditions mid-summer, if memory serves.... most intersting thing i saw were the increases in crp in many counties over the past decade...not all bad news in that department. Overall, i figured this was gonna be the outcome...i predicted 2.5 birds per mile statewide...2.47 was the actual, i think....no matter, much fun!!!!