Killer winter

[BlueRiverKennel]

We have had some excelent pheasant hunting here in West central MN for quite a few years now. But I think it is all coming to an end in many areas here. We got a freezing rain that came down for 2 days straight. Freezing everything solid under a layer of ice. I had been feeding a fair number of birds through winter, but after the rain only a couple came back out. It looks like we have lost 90% of our birds in just a couple days. I went for a tour a few days and am seeing the same thing all over where there were birds in areas I hunt. There is no tracks in the fresh snow either to indicate different. It is just not suposed to rain in the middle of Jan. in MN. After the rain it droped to 30 below wind chill, with 58 mile an hr winds for a couple days. Bummer.

[wolvmarine]

Blue River- Sad news on the harsh winter affect on the pheasants. Here in Michigan we had a big decline a little over 10 years ago and the birds have never really recovered. Some blame the hybirds and pesticides- but there really isn't a big difference what is planted/applied here and the Dakotas. We did start seeing more coyotes and more recently wild turkey meanwhile. Some of the hunters I've talked to think the turkeys feed on ground nesting bird clutches. That would include grouse, pheasant and quail - all which seem to be declining with the resurgence in wild turkeys. Any thoughts or observations out there?

LB

[BlueRiverKennel]

Na, I don't think the turkey's have hurt anything here. They seem to thrive in the wooded areas and the pheasants in the marsh and grass area. Not sure on the grouse. But we don't have that many turkeys here. We have always had plenty of fox and yotes, but that has not mattered either. The only thing that ever hurts us is harsh winters and spring floods. Looks like we might get both this year.