Ring-necked pheasant season opens October 18 at noon
Summer surveys reveal fewer wild, naturally-reproducing birds, in 2008
MADISON –Hunters heading out to Wisconsin’s prairies and marshes in search of ring-necked pheasants this fall may find fewer birds afield this season according to state wildlife officials. The 2008 pheasant hunting opens statewide at noon Oct. 18 and closes on Dec. 31.
On Oct. 20 and 21, the daily bag limit is one cock and possession limit is two. For the remainder of the season the daily bag limit is two cocks and the possession limit is four. Some public hunting grounds have both hen and rooster pheasant hunting (requires free permit and tags) and/or 2 p.m. closure times. The 2 p.m. closure requirements are only in effect for the first two weeks of the pheasant season, from Oct. 20 to Nov. 3. A pheasant stamp is required to hunt pheasants statewide.
During the 2007 pheasant hunting season, more than 70,000 hunters went out in search of pheasants and reported harvesting 360,207 birds. The top counties for harvest included Kenosha, Dane, and Dodge.
Weather impacts wild pheasant populations
“Wisconsin’s wild, naturally-reproducing pheasant population experienced a challenging winter and nesting season this year,” said Scott Hull, DNR upland game biologist. “Both major surveys used to gauge pheasant populations showed decreases in 2008. The spring crowing count survey showed a 30 percent decrease and the rural mail carrier pheasant survey showed a 18 percent decrease in the number of roosters counted compared to 2007.”
Brood survey information collected in July and August also showed a 42 percent decrease in the number of broods seen per observer and a 12 percent decrease in the average brood size. Brood rearing conditions in 2008 were slightly cooler and much wetter than in 2007. While wet and cool conditions did not occur statewide, they likely did have an impact on local brood survival. As a result, pheasant numbers should be down compared to last fall’s hunting season.
“Conditions that favored some species, such as waterfowl broods, were tough on others,” adds Hull. “Still, there is no substitute for searching out good habitat, scouting and securing landowner permissions in determining hunting success. While there may not be as many wild pheasant out there, being in the field, in the fall, can be a reward all in its own.”
What to look for
In Wisconsin research has shown that wetlands are one of the most important year-round cover types for pheasants. Areas within the pheasant management counties that contain adequate winter cover such as cattail and shrub-carr marshes and well established native prairie fields, and with 15 percent or more of the landscape in idle grassland will have the highest pheasant densities. It will be important for hunters to identify areas with high quality habitat and concentrate hunting efforts in that area.
Pheasant stocking program
This fall Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists plan to stock 70 public hunting grounds with approximately 52,000 game farm pheasants. This is a slight decrease from 2007 when 58,000 game farm pheasants were stocked on 70 public hunting grounds. The decrease is partially the result of higher feed and gas costs.
Hunters can check the Special Pheasant Regulations and Maps on the DNR Web site for the 2008 Pheasant Stocking Information Sheet identifying public hunting grounds slated for pheasant stocking. Stocked public hunting grounds are primarily located in the southern part of the state. Hunters should carefully verify which public hunting grounds have a 2 p.m. closure and/or allow hen pheasant hunting.
More information on the 2008 pheasant population outlook is available on the DNR Web site. See the 2008 Small Game Hunting Regulations available on the hunting and trapping regulations page for additional details.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Hull, DNR upland wildlife ecologist - (608) 267-7861 or Sharon Fandel, assistant upland wildlife ecologist - (608) 261-8458
