Spring Breeder Hens......

FCSpringer said:
Surrogators do not work. Releasing chicks don't work. Adult healthy birds do work at the right times. If the comment about derailing was directed at me Chris, sorry. But PF is one of the core root problems as to why most of the new CRP plantings are not huntable to many who care about their dogs. Until yours has been on a table at the U, dishing out 11 grand one does not understand. I feel very strong about the noble work they do, and stronger that when we see most everything new going in containing this deadly toxin, that it is bad for hunting in the future. No if ands or buts about it. The word needs to get out, It needs to stop and save hunting. It is sad when you drive around looking for hunting ground or trial grounds, get permission, and only go to see that stuff I will not let a dog set foot in. Great habitat sure. But not suited for mans best friend. I will buy life memberships for my whole family again if they change their ways. Believe me, I have been around and around with them about this factual subject.
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you got a picture of what this stuff looks like?
 
FCSpringer,
Thanks for your contributions to this topic. The reason I ask if breeder hens work is because there are some places in Kansas that do have great CRP and solid Milo/Corn right next to the field, but not too many birds. I saw a few roosters in one field this season, (not many hens), and I understand that one rooster can breed with many hens. Seems like a good solution to throw in some breeder hens at the right time of the year. The cover is there, the crop is there, and I have only come across one predator in the area. Any reason to not give this a try?
Kansaslabman
 
The idea that pen raised pheasants is a waste of time is NOT age old, actually it's going on just this last few decades with modern "Wildlife Management"
Back in the days when Pen raised pheasant releases were wide spread and in almost every State it was "Game Management"

Proof is everywhere, almost ALL existing populations in North America Ring Necks are from pen raised pheasants. The little bit of trap and release that was done where ALL from descendant birds from pen raised birds.

But it does take a lot of work and expense to get pen raised pheasants to live and thrive in the wild. Stuff that wildlife managers don't want to get involved with these days.
 
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kansaslabman said:
Also, what do you think the 1 year survival rate is for these hens? 20% maybe?
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If the year around habitat is in place and Your not overrun with all kinds of critters that eat pheasant, sure 20% will make it.

Thing is with pen raised pheasants, they don't have a home base or familiar environment. In other words they are on the move until the feel secure and with all they need to survive.

A long term study on pen raised pheasants in Montana found banded pheasants 3 years latter up to 15 miles from their release site. So just because the pheasants aren't visible doesn't mean they haven't made it.
 
kansaslabman said:
FCSpringer,
Thanks for your contributions to this topic. The reason I ask if breeder hens work is because there are some places in Kansas that do have great CRP and solid Milo/Corn right next to the field, but not too many birds. I saw a few roosters in one field this season, (not many hens), and I understand that one rooster can breed with many hens. Seems like a good solution to throw in some breeder hens at the right time of the year. The cover is there, the crop is there, and I have only come across one predator in the area. Any reason to not give this a try?
Kansaslabman
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In the right places, right times, I firmly believe you will see 70% survival. The main thing is after season, or after bad winter on slot is done. Then the only thing to do you harm is predators. So if you keep up on them, AKA fox, yotes, coon, skunks, cats, mink etc, you will do well. But, it has to be a place with access to food and water. If you have all that it will work much better then you think. Also I seen a better result in an area where there is a few birds there. Giver heck.
 
We see the birds used at training all the time months after doing just fine and dandy. Many times a mile or further away, and with the leg ribbon on. They return to the pen from time to time as well. They get wild in a short time. Once they find their way around in a week or so. It will surprise you just how wild they become. Everything they need to survive is imprinted in them. But if the essential things like cover, food and water are not there it it a waste of time.
 
FCS, That there is SPOT ON information.:thumbsup:
 
The article below is a good example of how wilded strains of pen raised pheasants can increase sightings of pheasants in the wild. The state of Wisconsin DNR also released F1 pure Manchurian ringneck pheasants (they called them Jilin Manchurian pheasants name after the part of China where the wild eggs were collected). See article below:


http://www.sheboygancountyconservationassociation.org/programs/pheasant.htm

We would not have wild pheasants running around in Texas south of the Canadian river, if determined individuals and groups along with the state DWL had not released wilder strains of the pheasants, like the Manchurian ringneck, the pure Chinese ringneck and the White-Winged pheasants by the thousands and thousands in early 60's and 70's.
Wild pheasants are now seen all around Lubbock.
 
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