winter in the upper midwest report

[dustin mudd]

Hi I live in western Montana, and hear that the NE portion of my state is getting pounded this winter. They are feeding birds there currently, perhaps some UPH memebers would ring in, and give us updates about their states so far this winter? North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa , etc?

 

[hardpoint wires]

snow is deep in MN.Going to be a rebuilding year for the birds in central partof the state.it has been tough on them

 

[1pheas4]

Here in Northern Illinois the winter has been cold but we lacked deep snow up until this past week or two. I'm going out today to take a look at some habitat and see how it's held up and how the birds are looking.

All and all, I think our birds are doing okay. 40's and maybe near 50 degrees this coming week will be a good thing:thumbsup: --1pheas4

 

[PHEZZYBOY FROID]

Tough Going up in Saskatchewan

I commonly work close to Montana and North Dakota Borders. Just was in the North Portal area this past week.
Lots of pheasants out on the roads (not a good thing). Snow is really really deep and the birds have to venture to dangerous areas for what slim pickings of feed there is.
Depending upon the spring rains.....could be a tough spring to produce a brood.

I will end on a somewhat happy note, for us waterfowlers, there will be absolutely incredible water conditions for the migration returnees.

Snow goose hunters.....bring a boat for those fields that you used to trudge into through the mud, will likely be covered in "feet...not inches of water."
(

 

[VZWman]

Hopefully this winter will help the birds in Southern Iowa. We have been cold, but only had 2 feet of snow at most and it's almost all gone again. Just hoping for a decent spring.

 

[FCSpringer]

Birds are doing great in MN. I have traveled the south border to the northern bird range and There is birds all over. Snow is off much of the fields and they are finding food easy. A warm up in the south earlier saved them, and in the north we got later snow pile up. But now all is well for now. In many areas there is corn standing here and there, the fields were rain soaked in the fall and lots could not be harvested. So even in the worst times this winter they still had food.:thumbsup: Exposure had no factor this year as the sloughs for the most part had cover. There was a time for a bit people were nervous but thats every year.
Now had we stayed cold another month and got blasted with one more huge snow of 12-20 inches with wind, we would be pouting.
:cheers: To this next season full of birds.

 

[Augusta]

Birds are doing great in MN. I have traveled the south border to the northern bird range and There is birds all over. Snow is off much of the fields and they are finding food easy. A warm up in the south earlier saved them, and in the north we got later snow pile up. But now all is well for now. In many areas there is corn standing here and there, the fields were rain soaked in the fall and lots could not be harvested. So even in the worst times this winter they still had food.:thumbsup: Exposure had no factor this year as the sloughs for the most part had cover. There was a time for a bit people were nervous but thats every year.
Now had we stayed cold another month and got blasted with one more huge snow of 12-20 inches with wind, we would be pouting.
:cheers: To this next season full of birds.

Wow FCS, I have hearing just the opposite on other forums. People in MN are saying that the pheasants have been disappearing all winter long. I hope your right, as I am keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[birdshooter]

There will be undoubtedly pockets where the birds did not fair so well and other areas where they may have done all right. From what I have learned, food is not the major concern on winter survival, it's exposure. How far the birds will have to travel for food and expose themselves to the harsh elements and get back to their cover before a storm can reek it's havoc on them will be key. Where the birds were able to find food close to their winter cover, i think they will do fine. Providing the rest of the winter is normal to mild I think the bulk of the birds will come out fine. Hen survival will be real key.

 

[FCSpringer]

Wow FCS, I have hearing just the opposite on other forums. People in MN are saying that the pheasants have been disappearing all winter long. I hope your right, as I am keeping my fingers crossed!

There wrong. If they drive out of town for some gravel tours, they will see birds every where there was birds. I have put on a ton of miles and there doing great every where I saw. I don't believe there is any pockets that were hurt bad at all. We loose a few every winter and this one will be no different. I have talked to Coyote hunters in several areas and they are seeing the same thing.:thumbsup: Saw several going to work and again on the way home today.:thumbsup:

 

[Uncle Buck]

The birds were hanging on in my neighborhood before the nice weather,despite not looking happy about it. They needed some feed but should be able to get at it now. Saw more roosters than hens. Saw tons of birds in SOUTH CENTRAL SD.

 

[Augusta]

There wrong. If they drive out of town for some gravel tours, they will see birds every where there was birds. I have put on a ton of miles and there doing great every where I saw. I don't believe there is any pockets that were hurt bad at all. We loose a few every winter and this one will be no different. I have talked to Coyote hunters in several areas and they are seeing the same thing.:thumbsup: Saw several going to work and again on the way home today.:thumbsup:

That's great to hear FCS! I am feeling much better about next years hunting. Thanks again!