From my experience with wild pheasant in Saskatchewan and Alberta (1960 to date), habitat is the greatest factor (if there is nowhere to live it is difficult to thrive) The next factor is spring weather (too wet is a real problem for hatchlings or even hatching) then winter weather (blizzards that cover habitat with deep hard-crusted snow suffocate many birds and make feeding very difficult for the others). Predation (Natural and Parker-like) accounts for a few more. As a result (this from reading), the average life span of wild pheasant is approximately 9 months i.e. not even one breeding cycle. That said, if there is good habitat, good food and water, the population sustains itself. A sufficient population of wild birds can usually overcome most issues but never loss of habitat.
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Hunt ethically. Eat heartily.
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