It would be impossible to tell the difference between a wild hen and a pen raised hen. We need the wild hens for future broods.
Roosters and Hens
Ok, it seems to me that the DWR and the general public agree that Utah just doesn't sustain pheasants. Further, I think everybody would agree that the pen raised birds being released have an abysmal survival rate.
Ok, since the DWR releases roosters and hens, why wouldn't we allow the harvest of hens as well? Seems to me that every hen released is basically tax-payer subsidized hawk food. Why not allow people to take the hens that are just going to die anyway?
Ok, since the DWR releases roosters and hens, why wouldn't we allow the harvest of hens as well? Seems to me that every hen released is basically tax-payer subsidized hawk food. Why not allow people to take the hens that are just going to die anyway?
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Interesting question - in my oversight in reading the articles about the DWR releasing birds, I assumed they were only releasing roosters. Releasing hens seems like a waste of money. I know I'm going to get different responses for this next comment, but oh well. If the dual objective of releasing birds is to provide hunters with opportunity and trying to bring back somewhat of a pheasant population, why not release wild birds taken from another state (i.e. Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska)? These wild birds would come with the instincts required to find food, shelter, and how to avoid predators.
Never heard of "pen" raised bighorns, deer, elk, or any other big game species released into the wild in an effort to assist in building a sustainable population.
Never heard of "pen" raised bighorns, deer, elk, or any other big game species released into the wild in an effort to assist in building a sustainable population.
Fowlmouth, I get that. I guess I wasn't clear enough. I guess I'm saying that since the overall success of pheasants (or lack thereof) would support throwing in the towel and just allowing the harvest of any pheasant wouldn't have a measurable effect on the population.
I think that when it comes down to it some of the released birds just may survive by luck or whatever. So if a few hens and roosters survive they may just help out what wild birds are left. But then that is just my opinion.
I personally believe that the money that is spend on raising pheasants and then releasing them could be spent in other areas such as helping out the turkey and chucker populations.
I personally believe that the money that is spend on raising pheasants and then releasing them could be spent in other areas such as helping out the turkey and chucker populations.
pheasant stamp that goes towards nothing but releasing pen raised birds the day before the hunt. If some hens and roosters survive, that just means a few more for next years hunt. Wish we'd get it to 50,000 birds being released each year. As far as chukars, not many people hunt them and turkeys are doing quite well. More pheasants please!
I would love a pheasant stamp that helps out on predators and plowing some fields and making more public pheasant habitat because we do have wild pheasants in Utah I get into them every year I hate when I read that we don't like I have access to some good private hooper fields and Willard and guess what most of what we get up is wild big spur and tail birds but the thing people don't realize is if you don't have a great dog them wild birds will run run run and snake your mediocre dog everytime we got smart birds and I've killed multiple birds with 24inch plus tails hell today I went out and jumped 5 big roosters and 6 hens just in the morning then came home and watched football the rest of day I don't take part in hunting the pen raised birds but I also don't disagree with it it gives people with no access to where wild birds are a opportunity and also it gives people with not very good dogs still get some birds up!! Sorry for the vent it just gets to me when people say we have no wild birds as I hunt them every year and watch them breed every spring in spare time I enjoy it I love pheasants!!!!! Have a wonderful day good hunting get em up!!!!
I'd be a supporter of things I'd even run traps if that's what it takes I have seen more skunks then roosters this year.
"Intensive agriculture, use of pesticides, removal of fencerows and odd areas, suburban sprawl, and commercial development have had detrimental effects upon pheasant populations,"
Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/StevePol...asants-does-not-work.html#mTDB58l8fEoHblvU.99
Its a fair amount more complicated than just this, but "back in the good ol' days" when we had lots of deer, we had lots of pheasants as well.
Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/StevePol...asants-does-not-work.html#mTDB58l8fEoHblvU.99
Its a fair amount more complicated than just this, but "back in the good ol' days" when we had lots of deer, we had lots of pheasants as well.
Bullshi+!
As you have been told time and time again when you bring up this pesticide crap.
Back east pesticides are used and they have plenty of pheasant and deer.
As you have been told time and time again when you bring up this pesticide crap.
Back east pesticides are used and they have plenty of pheasant and deer.
Iron Bear, can you read? Read the reference article, the folks back East disagree with you, and that goes for deer as well.Bullshi+!
As you have been told time and time again when you bring up this pesticide crap.
Back east pesticides are used and they have plenty of pheasant and deer.
Don't believe me on the deer? read this: http://www.northamericanwhitetail.c...ssroads-crops-contributing-whitetail-decline/
Your batting average when it comes to supporting your claims is about as low as it gets around here.
Support the upland and waterfowl slams, that's basically a stamp for state conservation.
Conservation and releasing pheasants are two very different things, and that difference is why we have these conversations.Support the upland and waterfowl slams, that's basically a stamp for state conservation.
Nothing beats pheasant hunting with a dog that can find pheasants.I would love a pheasant stamp that helps out on predators and plowing some fields and making more public pheasant habitat because we do have wild pheasants in Utah I get into them every year I hate when I read that we don't like I have access to some good private hooper fields and Willard and guess what most of what we get up is wild big spur and tail birds but the thing people don't realize is if you don't have a great dog them wild birds will run run run and snake your mediocre dog everytime we got smart birds and I've killed multiple birds with 24inch plus tails hell today I went out and jumped 5 big roosters and 6 hens just in the morning then came home and watched football the rest of day I don't take part in hunting the pen raised birds but I also don't disagree with it it gives people with no access to where wild birds are a opportunity and also it gives people with not very good dogs still get some birds up!! Sorry for the vent it just gets to me when people say we have no wild birds as I hunt them every year and watch them breed every spring in spare time I enjoy it I love pheasants!!!!! Have a wonderful day good hunting get em up!!!!
Common sense doesn't need support.Your batting average when it comes to supporting your claims is about as low as it gets around here.
The DWR does not purchase or release hens. All of the DWR releases are rooster only.
However, some sportsman's groups release hen pheasants on public lands.
However, some sportsman's groups release hen pheasants on public lands.
Common sense is based on experience. What may be common sense to you will not be common sense to someone else.Common sense doesn't need support.
There is some truth to your predator control argument and there is truth to the pesticide argument.
There is truth to the amount of pheasant habitat destruction via housing and industry in Utah.
It all plays a part.
what about making some of these pheasant areas motorless areas?
Avery, good to know. I had just seen photos with DWR personnel (the first year of the program) and seemed to recall statements from the DWR that both hens and roosters were being released.
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