Kansas 2011 Pheasant Crowing Count

The spring pheasant survey results can represent two important life stages for pheasant populations in Kansas. Spring surveys can indicate over-winter survival for a population. Often winter can be a bottleneck for some upland game populations. However, in western Kansas winters are often much more mild than more northern latitudes and pheasant survival is usually high throughout much of Kansas. When this is the case, spring surveys can also reflect the previous breeding season success or production for the population. In the 2010 breeding season Kansas experienced high production for much of the pheasant population, which is carried over into the 2011 Pheasant Crow Count because of a fairly mild winter in western Kansas. Other regions in the south-central and north-eastern part of the state showed declines, likely due to extreme weather events (e.g., hail storms) during the nesting and brooding period, or not enough precipitation prior to the 2010 breeding season. North-east Kansas has had some severe winters recently, combined with inclement weather during the breeding season, and the population has declined as a result.

Overall, western Kansas has one of the strongest breeding populations of pheasants in its history this year (Figure 3), which is reflected in extremely high crow counts for 2011(Figure 1). However, breeding season climate conditions are not very favorable for 2011 (extreme drought), and the 2011 fall pheasant population may not continue to increase like it has in recent years in western Kansas. Figure 3 shows the interpolated breeding density of pheasants across their habitable range in Kansas. Those areas of high percentage cropland in western Kansas show the highest densities of pheasants. This year many of those same areas are seeing problems with winter wheat growth, which may impact nesting success in those areas. Poor wheat development can lead to early harvesting, which could add to the decline of successful pheasant nests and broods. The drought will also cause a decline in brooding conditions, possibly negatively impacting brood survival. Our late summer brood surveys (July and August) will provide better projections of fall populations.

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Preseason Training Camp - Ruffed Grouse, Pheasant

I dropped my English Setter off at the trainer the other day.  When we got her three years ago she was a fully finished dog so this training is mostly for fitness.  Like most people I live in the ‘burbs and beyond the daily walks there isn’t too much of a chance to get in some bigger off leash workouts and with the high grouse drumming counts this spring I wanted to make sure she was in shape right at the start of the season.

In talking with Jerry Kolter, breeder / trainer / trialer, we decided to go with a combination of free running and atv roading.  Jerry had Tina the first six years and used her as one of his string when he did guided ruffed grouse hunts so he his familiar with Tina and how she can best be brought into full fitness.  On the plus side Tina weighed 4 pounds less than she did last summer and I think is in better shape to start with.

Now that the dog is rounding into shape what about the weak link in the team?  Yeah, that would be me.  I’ve been riding my bike but due to work travel, weird illnesses, wet weather and a lack of motivation I’ve ridden only about one half of what I had in last summer.  To make up for it I’ve been trying to eat better ( 2 brats instead of 3, the small basket of onion rings instead of the large.. it’s all relative ).  Lift some weights.  I was finding my arms were getting tired just from shooting three rounds of trap.  I even did my first run in over five years today.  This is all a far cry from the days when I was fairly fit and never gave a thought to having to get into shape for the hunting season.

One of the things driving the desire to get in better shape is that I have some high school neighbor boys who want to hunt and after seeing them come home from their football two-a-days I know I have to pick it up so they don’t leave me huffing and puffing.

So there you go, the dog is working out, I’m working out and now all we need is for the seasons to start, the weather to play nice, and rest will be up to the hunting gods. 

Northwoods Bird Dogs

North Dakota Pheasant Crowing Counts Completed ND 2011

North Dakota’s spring pheasant crowing count survey revealed a 14 percent decrease statewide compared to last year, according to Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department.

The only area of the state showing an increase was the southwest, up 5 percent from 2010. The number of crows heard in the northwest was down 17 percent, while counts in the southeast were down 30 percent. In the northeast where there is less pheasant habitat, the counts fell 36 percent.

Kohn said severe winters, poor production and loss of Conservation Reserve Program acreage have contributed to the decline in crow count numbers for the third year in a row.

“Three consecutive long winters with heavy snowfall have not been conducive to winter survival,” Kohn said. “In addition, after a tough winter hens enter spring stressed and in poor condition to begin reproduction, which may affect the number of eggs laid.”

Poor production the last three springs led to fewer young birds entering the population in the fall. “Poor production is a result of cool, wet weather at the time of hatch, which causes higher than normal mortality on chicks,” Kohn said. “I anticipated the southwest to have higher crow count numbers than the other pheasant districts because good numbers of pheasants were observed in this area last winter.”
Loss of CRP has decreased nesting and brooding cover, and Kohn said this has been most noticeable in the southeast where a decrease in CRP acres the last three years probably has had a significant effect on the number of pheasants produced. “Couple that with the number of acres of small grains removed from the landscape and replaced by row crops, lower pheasant numbers are expected,” he said.

In addition, predators could also have an adverse effect on pheasants. “I don’t have specific data to show a direct effect, but we do have an increase in mammalian predators on the landscape this spring, and they do eat eggs and meat to survive,” Kohn said. “I suspect they may be affecting pheasant populations in some localized areas.”

On the positive side, Kohn said pheasant hens are finding better quality nesting and brooding cover on the uplands this spring. However, high water will likely minimize lowland nesting attempts in many areas, so a strong renesting effort will be needed for good production.

“However, on dry upland sites the native, warm-season plants are doing extremely well this spring and one would anticipate a good number of insects and eventually grasshoppers to become available with a good legume habitat component this summer,” Kohn said. “June weather so far hasn’t been the best for hatching chicks, but warm evening temperatures have been good. Recent downpours in some areas may jeopardize small chicks in localized spots, but we have not experienced large scale hail storms in the primary pheasant range yet this spring. So at present, we are in a wait-and-see process on how production turns out this spring for all our upland game birds.”

Spring crowing count data is not always a good indicator of the fall population. It does not measure population density, but provides an index of the spring rooster population based on a trend of number of crows heard. Brood surveys, which begin in mid-July and are completed by September, are a better indicator of the summer’s pheasant production and provide insight into what to expect for a fall pheasant population.

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified 20-mile routes, stopping at predetermined intervals, and counting the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing over a two-minute period during the stop. The number of pheasant crows heard is compared to previous years’ data, providing a trend summary.

Full ND DNR Article

MN/WI Pro Plan Cover Dog Derby of the Year: Northwoods Chardonnay

Northwoods Chardonnay - Cover Dog Winner

Northwoods Chardonnay edged out her litter sister, Northwoods Chablis, by two points to win the 2011 award. Another littermate, Northwoods Lager, was in the top four. That these dogs were so competitive is no accident. Grandmothers on top and bottom—Blue Silk and CH Houston’s Belle—won this award previously.

Chardonnay has had four field trial placements in as many starts. As a puppy in 2009 she placed second in the very competitive O-Kan puppy stake held in Oklahoma. (Lager placed first.) Later that spring she placed second in the MGDA derby. This spring she placed third in the MGDA Open Derby (beaten by littermates Lager and Chablis) and won first place in the Moose River Grouse Dog Club Open Derby. She pointed grouse in both of this spring’s wins.

Chardonnay is out of a litter bred by Paul Hauge in 2009. The sire is Blue Shaquille and the dam is our current producing female, Houston’s Belle’s Choice. We started four from this litter and each is a strong grouse dog.

Chardonnay did a fine job in our grouse guiding string last fall, especially for a 1½ year old. She has the classic Houston-line trademarks:  easy, attractive gait; lofty style on point; outstanding ability to find and point grouse.

Northwoods Bird Dogs have won or been in close contention for this award several times before.
2003:  CH Houston’s Belle, owner Paul Hauge, won
2001:  Blue Silk, owner Paul Hauge, won
1998:  Spun Gold, second in points
1997:  CH Blue Streak, second in points
1995:  That’s Afact Jack, second in points

In addition, dogs sired by our studs have won the award. 
2009:  Goodgoing Hannah Montana, owner Brett Edstrom/Good Going Kennel, was sired by Dashaway
1999:  Milk Run Jessie, owner Brian Miller, was sired by CH Blue Smoke

This accolade was started in 1994 and has subsequently been awarded 17 times. It has been won by pointers on 10 occasions. It is sponsored by Pro Plan who generously purchased the rotating trophy and supplies dog food to each year’s winner.  

Complete Article and Other News

Ronnie Smith Kennel

Bird Dogs Afield visits pro trainer Ronnie Smith and discusses the Silent Command System developed by the Smith family.



Silent Command System, Delmar Smith

Started Setter For Sale

Northwoods Black-eyed Susan

whelped 4/28/2010

Sue is a heavily ticked, tri-color, 39-lb. English setter female with an evenly marked head. She has a bold attitude and is very focused for her age. She gets along extremely well with people and other dogs and loves attention. Her Preliminary OFA Hip Evaluation is GOOD.

Sue has completed our Puppy Program, including both the Foundation and Quail Program pieces. She has been introduced to birds and to gunfire and has developed her inherent desire for birds. She has traveled, been on a stake-out chain and knows basic commands such as Here, Whoa and Kennel. She is ecollar conditioned.
Sue has been through her first hunting season on grouse, woodcock and Texas bobwhite quail. She hunts hard, has good endurance, handles easily and loves to swim.
This spring Sue is being worked on grouse and woodcock as well as continuing her staunchness training.
Her sire, Shaquille, is the finest grouse dog we’ve owned and Kaytoo, her dam, is a runner-up woodcock champion and excellent grouse guide dog.

More Info including pedigree and pricing

Minneapolis - St. Paul MN Metro Quail Forever Banquet 2011

I am planning on attending.

Hope to see you there.

Moose kicks woman who came too close in Town Square

A FAILED PETTING ATTEMPT: Victim is not seriously injured.

By ELIZABETH BLUEMINK
ebluemink@adn.com

A moose kicked a woman in Town Square Park Monday afternoon after she got too close to the animal and reportedly tried to pet it, according to Anchorage police.

    The moose kicked the unidentified woman several times -- including in the chest and shoulder -- but she was not injured badly enough to go to the hospital, according to police spokeswoman Anita Shell.

Police were called to Town Square at about 4:40 p.m. and medics checked the woman and determined she was OK, Shell said.

Witnesses told police that the moose kicked the woman, in her 20s, after she tried to pet it as it walked by, Shell said.

The moose was spotted in Town Square throughout the day on Monday, feeding on trees. The moose was still hanging around at the downtown park after police arrived and the woman left at around 5 p.m.

"At this time, we are telling people not to agitate the moose ... to give it space," Shell said.

Anchorage police said they did not request that state biologists deal with the moose because the animal wasn't going after anyone unprovoked.

"It was just doing what moose do," Shell said.

Full Story and Pictures: http://www.adn.com/2011/03/07/1742027/moose-kicks-woman-who-came-too.html#ixzz1G84jTi94

Montana Pheasaants Forever 2011 2-Gun-A-Week Raffle

 Brought to you by the Montana State Habitat Fund

1st winners will be announced April 15, 2011

Raffle is Open to Residents and Non-Residents of Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. – Montana Pheasants Forever State Habitat Fund, a mission dedicated to the conservation of pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs, has announced it will be holding another 2-Gun-A-Week Raffle.

The Montana State Habitat Fund is a collaboration of numerous local chapters from across the state.   The mission of the Montana State Habitat Fund is to be the central hub for all hunters, non-hunters, farmers, ranchers, landowners, conservation enthusiasts and wildlife officials in Montana to come together to help with the conservation of habitat. 

2011 2-Gun-A-Week Raffle – Every raffle ticket sold will be included in 104 separate drawings. A maximum of 3,000 tickets are to be sold, making it possible to win several guns on a single ticket.  100% of proceeds generated from the raffle will remain in Montana to be used to support the aforementioned mission.  This raffle is open to residents and nonresidents of Montana. Winners will be notified by postcard, email or phone and will have 45 days from the notification date to claim their prize.  Prizes can be picked up at Don's in Lewistown, Montana or the prize can be shipped to a local FFL dealer for a fee and shipping and handling.

Tickets are available from your local Montana PF chapter or online at www.MontanaPF.org. For more details and rules please visit www.MontanaPF.org.  All winners will be posted on the Monday of each week beginning April 15, 2011. As a reminder only 3,000 tickets will be sold!  If you have any questions please email Mark at Mark@MontanaPF.org