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Old 02-22-2011, 09:24 AM
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vantheman vantheman is offline
 
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Default Winter & Southern Alberta Pheasants

I’ve been reading on the forums that this winter has been harsh in southern Alberta. I don’t get it, because from here in Calgary this winter has seemed fairly with common amounts of snow and cold.

If the rumors are true, I’m deeply concerned about the pheasant population. As most people know, last year was awful for the pheasants. The late spring rains during hatch and the hail decimated them.

Now if this winter has been truly as bad as they say, how will that affect the already dwindling numbers?
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Old 02-22-2011, 09:37 AM
Deer Hunter Deer Hunter is offline
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Saw a bunch of cocks when I went for a drive on Saturday. They seemed to be doing just fine so dont worry.
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Old 02-22-2011, 09:41 AM
densa44 densa44 is offline
 
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Smile Just pointed one to-day

Just outside Calgary, and he was doing just fine. Tried to hide under a tree but both dogs locked up. Cool!
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Old 02-22-2011, 09:52 AM
sheephunter
 
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It's likely going to be a very hard year on them Van. Birds that have access to good thermal cover will survive but with the rapidly dwindling habitat in the south and a harsh winter like this, it can't help but hurt them. Things are way worse in the south east than they are in Calgary.
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Old 02-22-2011, 09:57 AM
Sledhead71 Sledhead71 is offline
 
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We are in the South, had severe flooding that wipped out the first hatch... Good news though, the second hatch was promissing, lots of imature birds this fall running around..

We raise and release pheasants every year, approximately 250 birds in total.. We opened that pen two weeks ago and let the remaining birds go, numbers seem lighter than normal, but none the less it looks promissing...
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Old 02-22-2011, 11:36 AM
FCLightning FCLightning is online now
 
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I think the fall #'s are more dependant on the spring hatch than anything else. If the hatch is a success there should be huntable populations in the fall. If we have an extended cold, wet spring then......
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Old 02-22-2011, 12:11 PM
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vantheman vantheman is offline
 
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Well, I suppose every week of spring that passes without flooding, hail, or heavy rains will be a small victory.

Thanks everyone.
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Old 02-23-2011, 12:19 AM
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crawfy crawfy is offline
 
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I have been seeing them around the farm yard, not in big numbers but they are surviving the winter so far. Here is a little snap shot to keep you dreaming of October.
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Old 02-23-2011, 01:11 AM
Wolf Medicine Wolf Medicine is offline
 
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Default Sledhead71

Have raised some in the past through 4-H. But would like some helpful tips if you have any. Am looking at getting in the range of 200 for hunting this fall. Know the fail rates on them. But any nutrition tips or boosters you would be willing to share would be great. Thanks.

WM.
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Old 02-23-2011, 11:23 AM
uplander uplander is offline
 
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wolf medecine if your releasing them on your own land i suggest you put out small feed sites for them(kind of like bird feeders but on the ground) it greatly improves the chance of survival of your birds and also if its your land plant cover for the birds (spruce trees,rosebush etc..) the main reason of release mortality rates are starvation and predation witch can be avoided with cover and food plots greatly increasing the chance of survival of many of the birds.
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