Hunters go for Nebraska Upland Slam starting Sept. 1 2020

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters again are challenged to go afield with family and friends and harvest four upland bird species this fall to complete the Nebraska Upland Slam.

The challenge of the Upland Slam, a partnership among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever, is to harvest a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska this season.

Successful hunters then go online to upload a photo of each harvested bird and provide details about their hunt. Those who complete the Slam will receive an official certificate and pin and be entered into a drawing to win one of several prizes, including a Browning Maxus 12-gauge shotgun.

Nebraska is the mixed bag capital of the Great Plains and a great place to hunt a variety of birds in different habitats. “The Nebraska Upland Slam has generated a lot of excitement and has encouraged hunters to try something new, hunt a new area of the state, or just spend more time afield,” said John Laux, Game and Parks’ upland habitat and access program manager.

All participants who submit at least one harvest to the Nebraska Upland Slam will be automatically entered into monthly drawings for prizes sponsored by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Prizes include the shotgun, gun-cleaning kits, metal artwork, tumblers, and memberships to the two conservation groups.

Read the full KTIC article for more information

South Dakota Pheasant Hunting in the Snow | Passion for the Hunt Video

 Late season pheasant hunt in the cold and snow. Great dog work, hunting near Kimball, SD with Wings of Thunder. Joined by members of the California Deer Association on an auctioned trip to support hunter recruitment and conservation.

A Bird Dog's First Pheasant Hunt | The Flush: Season 9, Episode #5

 

Scott Fransen introduces his new bird dog to South Dakota's roosters. This hunt runs deeper than the love of flushing birds, when his daughters tag along for the passing of the bird dog torch on Hank's first hunt.

Pheasant Hunting with American Brittany's Video

An inspiring pheasant hunting film over American Brittany's in the heart of Washington farm country. Pheasant hunting is an american passion for many upland hunters and Stan has been at it his whole adult life. From catching pigeons in grain silos to riding horseback behind his bird dogs he epitomizes a passion for bird hunting.

WI Pheasant Hunting Public Land Video

 

Pheasant hunting public land in southern Wisconsin. While it's no where near some states with wild bird populations, there is enough to give the upland hunter some sport. You have to work for them a bit harder in late season but you can have some luck. The Wisconsin DNR releases cock pheasants to give opportunity in our area. Get some good boots and get out in the field. My 4 year old Vizsla, Kaizer, always loves chasing some roosters on the weekends and so do I. We also bagged a bonus woodcock on the closing weekend for them. I hope you enjoy the footage and I'll try to keep it UnderFortyYards.

Late Season Pheasant Hunting - It's Not for the Weak - South Dakota 2019 Video

Miles of walking in deep crunchy snow, calm winds, cold temps, condensed wild cagey roosters, long shots, beautiful scenery, and tons of wildlife are all part of late season pheasant hunting in South Dakota.

South Dakota looks at extending 2020 pheasant season

Jody Heemstra

South Dakota wildlife officials are looking at extending the pheasant hunting season. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks has proposed some changes to the length of the hunting season. 

Under the proposal, the pheasant season would start two hours earlier at 10 a.m. on the third Saturday of October. 

The season would also last longer, running to Jan. 31 instead of its current end date of the first Sunday of January. 

The Wildlife Division director for Game, Fish and Parks tells KELO-TV that an extended season would give more opportunity to hunters. If approved, the changes would take effect for the upcoming 2020 season.

Read the original article

North Dakota 2020 pheasant crowing counts up 15% from last year

North Dakota’s spring pheasant population index is up 15% from the same time last year, according to the state Game and Fish Department’s 2020 spring crowing count survey.

R.J. Gross, upland game management biologist, said the number of roosters heard crowing this spring was up statewide, with increases ranging from 1% to 18% in the primary regions holding pheasants.

“We entered spring with a larger breeding population compared to last year,” Gross said. “Hens should be in good physical shape for nesting season and cover should be plentiful from the residual moisture left from last fall.”

However, Gross said there is concern with drought conditions in the western part of the state, and whether insects will be available to chicks for brood rearing.

“I am hopeful for above-average chick survival due to the lush cover and predicted warm temperatures, but we can use some rain,” Gross said. “But we don’t want any severe weather events.” 

While the spring number is an indicator, Gross said it does not predict what the fall population will look like. Brood surveys, which begin in late July and are completed by September, provide a much better estimate of summer pheasant production and what hunters might expect for a fall pheasant population.

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified 20-mile routes, stop at predetermined intervals, and count the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing over a 2-minute period during the stop.

The number of pheasant crows heard is compared to the previous year’s data, providing a trend summary.

Read the full ND Game and Fish article

Iowa’s 2020 pheasant nesting outlook positive after mild winter

Iowa’s recent mild winter and dryer than normal April and May could lead to positive results for pheasant hunters this fall. Hen survival increases during mild winters, and more hens mean more nests and more nests typically means more pheasants in the fall.

Statewide snowfall from December through March was seven inches below the 1961-90 average and Iowa’s lowest snowfall total since 2012. Snowfall was below normal in all regions of the state. Winter hen survival was likely above normal for most regions for both pheasant and bobwhite quail.

Statewide the spring months were drier and colder than the 1961-90 average. The spring came early with little snow cover in March. April and May nesting season was cooler than normal and rainfall was one inch below the 1961-90 average. This is Iowa’s lowest nesting season rainfall since 1994. 

Reports of early and large pheasant broods have been reported, suggesting a good hatch is underway. 

The nesting forecast is based on a model that compares 30 years of weather data with the corresponding pheasant counts in August. This prediction is a best guess based on weather data, and it can be wrong. The DNR's August roadside survey is the best gauge of what upland populations will be this fall.  The DNR will post its August roadside numbers online at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey around Sept. 15.