[AT] Spam> OT: now pheasant

Tue Dec 9 07:41:22 PST 2008

Released pheasants fare poorly.  However, the wild pheasant population is
quite hardy.  Their population is mostly dependent on available cover.  To
the north the severity of the winter comes into play - adult birds can make
it through about 6 weeks of continuous snow cover before starving.  Most
winters have some type of midwinter thaw that will save them.  The other
factor is how wet the spring is during nesting.

The MN DNR states that hunting takes at a maximum about 30% of the birds in
a season, on a good year.  Predators and weather will take about another
third.  Southern Minnesota has the highest pheasant population since the
early 60's because of an increased amount of set aside land in the state.
All I know is that at this point I still see a good number of pheasants, but
I only get a good look at the hens......

Phil
Snowy Courtland, MN

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Mike Sloane
Sent: December 09, 2008 8:39 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Spam> OT: now pheasant

Bluebird boxes are becoming popular and there are many Websites devoted 
to making, placing, and positioning them for best effect. For New York, 
you can start with the New York State Bluebird Society 
<http://www.nysbs.org/>. There are similar organizations around the 
country.

My neighbor used to raise pheasants, but he had to incubate the eggs - 
it appears that the hens don't sit properly in captivity. He would raise 
and release at least 100 a year. Unfortunately, they are roost on the 
ground at night, and are easy prey for fox, coyote, mink, dogs, etc. 
Since pheasant and quail are no native North American animals, it is not 
surprising that they don't do well in the wild.

Mike

Roy Morgan wrote:
> On Dec 9, 2008, at 8:38 AM, CEE VILL wrote:
>>> I just learned today that the NYSDEC is closing the state's lone DEC
>>> pheasant rearing facility -- Reynolds Game Farm -- in Ithaca ...
> 
> Cee Vill and Charlie,
> 
> I live in Groton, NY not far from Ithaca, so I looked for that place  
> on the map.  It seems to be quite close to Ithaca and Cornell.  Maybe  
> one day I can drive by there to see what's going on. Maybe they would  
> give me some pheasants to put out by my pond!
> 
> In a small effort in the opposite direction, I plan to make a batch of  
> blue bird nest boxes to put out this Spring around our field.  We have  
> about 20 acres, mostly open, and I think they'd like this place.   
> There are a couple of geese that come to our small dug pond  
> apparently.  We'll look for them this Spring.
> 
> Are there other birds I can easily attract with proper nest boxes?  Is  
> it as simple as making the right size hole in the front?
> 
> Roy
> 
> Roy Morgan
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