Pheasants surviving the winter in South Dakota

[Steiner]

Originally Posted by Jeff Sweeter

Hello Harold, the fields around me have had possibly a foot of snow cover for over a month.Not until recently has there been some open spots melt away.Ive talked to several neighbors and fellow hunters who have been out putting shellcorn here and there along country roads where they have seen birds looking for food.I have never seen these numbers of birds in our area in my lifetime.They seem to be wintering very well.Just hope we can avoid an ice storm yet as that is usually pretty hard on them.The cattail areas where they have been roosting are completely full of snow.Some evenings there will be quite a few flying up in my trees to roost at night.A lot of nesting area in South Dakota,CRP ground was cut for hay last summer because of the dry weather,drought,we had.Normally they allow you to cut 50% of a field for hay,feed.Last year they let everyone cut the whole field.It will take till June at least to have cover tall enough for the birds to hide in and nest.I farm and know animals need to be fed but I think it equally important to have habitat for wildlife.I left several 10 to 20 acre grass areas with cattails near by and put in several food plots in those areas also.We also sowed an additional 25 acres down to grass and enrolled it in the CRP programs Unfortunately the USDA will not let me plant a food plot in that area without paying fines and penalties. May have to put a feeder out there next winter. Jeff

God bless you Brother.