Todd Bogenschultz with the DNR put this out this week.
Pheasants Taking Winter in Stride
Posted: February 13, 2007
Snow, more snow, howling winds, and seemingly endless days of sub-zero wind chills. After nearly a month of the stuff, a lot of folks -- especially those in the northern half of the state -- are beginning to use the phrase Long, hard winter. It's only natural for outdoor enthusiasts to voice their concern over the welfare of local pheasant flocks.
Pheasants have become extremely visible as foraging flocks scratch and peck their way across Iowa's snowy landscape. The common questions become: Are pheasants starving to death? Are birds freezing? Are predators killing next spring's breeders?
Regardless of the species, there is no question that winter is a tough time for all wildlife. Just as spring is a time of renewal, winter is the time of loss. But not all winters are created equal. Generally speaking, open winters mean high [pheasant] survival. Deep snow for lots of days results in substantially increased mortality. Blizzards and ice storms are a pheasant's worst nightmare.
So how is this winter stacking up? According to DNR pheasant biologist, Todd Bogenschutz, it's a clear cut case of so far so good.
"Overall, it's been a pretty average winter for Iowa pheasants," says Bogenschutz. "Statewide, we've had around three to four weeks of continuos snow cover. During an average winter we get 7 to 8 weeks of snow cover, so things are pretty typical so far. We haven't had any blizzards yet, which is a real plus.
"During an average Iowa winter we'll lose 20 to 25 percent of our breeding hens. All things considered, I'd say that we're probably on par for hitting the average."
Although people often worry about the effects of prolonged sub-zero temperatures, cold in itself is pretty much a non-issue for pheasants, says Bogenschutz. As long as birds can locate adequate food supplies and secure roosting cover such as cattails or native grasses, they can easily withstand the coldest temperatures the Midwest has to offer.
"We currently have statewide snow cover and birds are concentrating around the best winter habitats. There's no question that pheasants have become very visible," says Bogenschutz. "But just because people see birds out foraging does not mean they are in trouble. I tell people that the pheasants are out there every day, you just don't see them when the ground is bare."
