The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) pheasant index
remained near its highest level in 20 years, thanks to favorable weather and
habitat conditions in portions of the state's pheasant range.
The pheasant index (107 birds per 100 miles of survey driven this year)
topped 100 for the third consecutive year. In each of the past two years,
hunters harvested nearly 600,000 roosters, the most since 1964. Last year's
index of 115 birds per 100 miles driven was the highest in 20 years.
"Strong pheasant populations are the result of favorable weather and
abundant habitat," said Dennis Simon, DNR Wildlife Management Section chief.
"As we approach next year's 25th anniversary of the pheasant habitat stamp,
it's important to recognize that our abundant habitat is in part the result
of support from groups like Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, the
Minnesota Waterfowl Association and many others who continue to make
grassland habitat conservation a priority."
The best opportunities for harvesting pheasants will likely be in the
southwest, where observers reported 223 birds per 100 miles of survey
driven. Good harvest opportunities might also be found in the west central
and south central regions, where observers reported 118 and 121 birds per
100 miles driven, respectively.
Mild winter weather boosted hen counts to 56 percent above the 10-year
average. The number of broods was also well above average, but the number of
chicks per brood was below average, despite apparently favorable spring
weather, said Kurt Haroldson, DNR wildlife research biologist. "The
combination of high hen and brood numbers compensated for small brood size,"
he said. "The result is a high pheasant population in Minnesota."
Furthermore, a cock index 57 percent above the 10-year average will
contribute additional birds to the fall population.
Gray partridge, cottontail rabbit, and white-tailed jackrabbit indices were
also similar to 2006, whereas mourning dove indices decreased from last
year, but remained similar to the 10-year average and the long-term average.
One key to increased pheasant populations is grassland habitat, Haroldson
said. Within the state's pheasant range, protected grasslands account for
about 6 percent of the landscape, the highest number since the mid 1990s.
Farm programs make up the largest portion of protected grasslands in the
state.
Sign-ups for the Minnesota CREP II, targeting enrollment of up to 120,000
new acres of environmentally sensitive cropland in the Red River, Lower
Mississippi, Missouri and Des Moines River watersheds, have been lower than
hoped. Although progress continues on CRP and CREP II, the potential
expiration of a large proportion of existing CRP contracts beginning this
fall is still a major concern for future wildlife populations.
"If Minnesota is to avoid a drastic decline in pheasant and other farmland
wildlife populations, hunters, landowners, wildlife watchers and
conservationists must make the case for farm programs," Simon said. "CRP is
being debated by congress right now and could be decided by the end of the
year. Conservation organizations like Pheasant Forever, Ducks Unlimited and
many others can help hunters and wildlife enthusiasts stay informed of the
latest developments."
The DNR is a major partner the Farm Bill Assistance Partnership to expand
the habitat base through marketing of farm bill conservation programs in
partnership with Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Pheasants
Forever, and county Soil and Water Conservation Districts. In addition, DNR
is continuing a focused habitat effort to develop large grassland-wetland
complexes through a "Working Lands Initiative" with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and other partners.
The annual roadside survey, which began in the late 1940s, was standardized
in 1955. DNR conservation officers and wildlife managers in the farmland
region of Minnesota conduct the survey during the first two weeks in August.
This year's survey consisted of 170 routes, each 25 miles long, with 151
routes located in the ring necked pheasant range. Observers drive each route
in early morning and record the number and species of wildlife they see. The
data provide an index of relative abundance and are used to monitor annual
changes and long term trends in populations of ring necked pheasants, gray
partridge, eastern cottontail rabbits, white tailed jackrabbits and selected
other wildlife species.
The 2007 August Roadside Report and pheasant-hunting-prospects map can be
viewed and downloaded from
www.dnr.state.mn.us.
Minnesota's pheasant season is Oct. 13-Jan. 1. The daily bag limit is two
roosters with a possession limit of six. Shooting hours are 9 a.m. to
sunset.
