Pheasants & Deer

[campcook]

I was up in Wells Co last week and saw at least a dozen henpheasants still running with roosters. I'm a bit concerned because they should be close to hatching by now.
Could this mean coons or skunks have destroyed their firstattempt at nesting?
Habitat is scarce. Lots of CRP has been taken out and miles of tree rows continue to be cutand burned. Also with the dry andseasonal fall weather last year every blade of grass that could be cut, was,and cattail sloughs have been cut back and burned.
On a positive note, whitetail does were scarce so I assumethey are dropping fawns. The deer herdis in fantastic shape, in 45 years I've never seen them looking this good. I still had 6 bucks on camera with antlersthe first week in April. We should seesome nice racks this fall.
Thanks for listening.
R

 

[dean nelson]

2K2 heard looking the best it's been in 45 years....take it you were in a coma 2001 through 2009! As for the pheasants they may have lost their nest or might not. Even at peak incubation they still leave the nest a couple times a day to feed and drink.

 

[campcook]

I'm talking quality not quantity. We had way too many deer in the years you mentioned and unfortunately the road hunters were rabid (or maybe it was rampant) always found 3 or 4 dead deer every year after gun season. Last year it was peaceful.

 

[jdinny]

farmer friend on the wells/kidder county line are sent me a pic of twin fawns in his yard. this was last week. so I know theres fawns running around already. ive seen plenty of honker chicks, couple broods of duck chicks no pheasant chicks yet

 

[dean nelson]

Pheasants normally hatch the first couple weeks of June so right about now. These next two weeks weather is as important for this falls hunting as the winter weather is. If it's cold and wet most chick's will die and if warm and dry we will have a good year. Next two days are not looking all that great for them but after that looks decent. Not sure why I root for a good hatch...I never chase them and other then big bucks nothing gets land posted faster then lots of ditch chickens.

As for deer that unit always had big numbers of big deer. Not sure if I still have them but used to get tons of pics of large bachelor groups of deer where 150 to 170 class deer were common. Some of these deer would show them selves during the hunting season but many were night time gosts that were never seen by anyone in the light of day. Hell there's a reason the state record comes from 2K2!

 

[KDM]

I'm optimistic for this fall on both counts. Plenty of rain has produced thick thick cover for young birds as well as fawns and forage for all involved. Lots of insects out there to provide protein for the chicks as well. Won't know until fall as you can't see the little buggars and barely see adult deer with all the cover. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[campcook]

Pheasant & Deer update,
I was mowing the homestead last night and while cutting up to the tree row on the East side I had a hen pheasant run out of the grass into the tree row. On my next round she did the same so I shut down and waited. First one, then two and before long I had difficulty counting but all told there were 17 chicks that ran out of the grass and followed their mother into the high grass in the tree row. I have never seen those numbers from a single hatch before. I think my war on skunks & coons is paying off. Later that night when I was fixing supper I watched a doe bring her twins into the fresh cut field. Life is good.

 

[dean nelson]

That would be one big ass brood. Wonder if they ever steal other hens chick's like the Canadas do? I hoping and somewhat expecting to see allot of twins this year with more older does and perfect weather we had.

 

[tikkalover]

I know it says pheasant, and deer, but the other day was driving the street behind the fair grounds, and 6 adult geese came across the street herding 26 goslings across with them. Was neat to see!!

 

[ejolliffe]

I live in Minot and work near New Town and Stanley. I let my french brittany out daily at work (he is my daily ride along partner) and he has been pointing pheasants multiple times a day for the past month. During those brief outings the deer have been around more often then not. only found 2 sheds in April/May though....

 

[campcook]

Dean,
I lived on the old river channel that forms Fox Island for 20 years. We had a platform nest in the back yard. We got up close and personal with an old Gander and his goose, nick named him "Bob" he had a crippled foot. He was the best darn babysitter. Really took his responsibility seriously. Always had his brood plus others in his care. He was the subject of some fun and interesting stories.
The pheasant chicks I saw were 2-3 days old. I doubt that hen had time to gather others but you're right. That was one big brood and if that scenario repeats there will be lots of birds this fall.

 

[Fishinfool]

I saw my first hatch of pheasant chicks a couple days ago. 11 of the little puff balls. Hopefully get more hatches like that.