Plan describes big boost in pheasant habitat, harvest (2005-03-15)

Capitalizing on well-funded farm programs would boost Minnesota's average pheasant harvest 24 percent to 450,000 birds by 2008, under a plan announced today by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Furthermore, the plan lays groundwork to increase the average pheasant harvest to 750,000 by 2025, which would require 1.5 million additional acres of farmland habitat, supporting a population of 3 million birds.

"Pheasant populations depend largely on our ability to influence land-use practices on private farmland," said Bill Penning, DNR farmland wildlife program leader. "One way the DNR and other agencies are doing that is by funding technicians who promote landowner enrollment in programs available through the federal farm bill."

In addition, the DNR will accelerate land acquisition to protect critical pheasant habitat and direct farmland research toward better understanding of winter habitat and other pheasant needs.

Minnesota's current pheasant harvest averages about 360,000 birds, Penning said. Given the limits of current farm programs and acquisition funding, 330,000 new acres of undisturbed grass might be established by 2008, yielding a projected increase of about 80,000 roosters in the annual harvest.

"An additional 10,000 roosters may be added to the harvest by maintaining and improving quality of existing habitats," Penning added.

"Thus, a realistic goal is to raise the average annual harvest to 450,000 roosters by 2008."

The plan was a three-year effort developed in partnership with Pheasants Forever, the DNR's Farmland Committee and the Pheasant Habitat Stamp Oversight Committee.

Learn more about pheasant hunting and see a full copy of the long-range pheasant plan online at www.dnr.state.mn.us.

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