2/19/2008
 

For Iowa pheasants, it's becoming a long hard winter. In parts of the north and east, wildlife populations have already endured a full two and a half months of snow cover. As we move into late February, most of the state remains sealed in snow and ice.

As snow conditions persist, pheasants have become extremely visible as foraging flocks scratch and peck their way across frozen landscapes. As the winter weather wears on, it's only natural for wildlife enthusiasts to voice their concern over the welfare of local pheasant flocks.

One thing is certain. Winter is a tough time for all wildlife. Just as spring is a time of renewal; winter is the time of loss. But not all winters are created equal. Generally speaking, open winters mean high [pheasant] survival. Deep snow for lots of days results in substantially increased mortality. Blizzards and ice storms are a pheasant's worst winter nightmare.

So how is this winter stacking up for Iowa's most popular gamebird? According to DNR Pheasant Biologist, Todd Bogenschutz, no one can say for sure until it's over. At this point in time, however, the winter appears to be something of a mixed bag.

"Pheasant losses average around three percent for each week the ground is white," says Bogenschutz. "During an average Iowa winter we'll lose 20 to 40 percent of our breeding hens. All things considered, I'd say that we'll probably see above normal pheasant mortality across much of the state. The way this winter's storm systems have tracked, parts of southern and eastern Iowa received more snowfall than the rest of the state which could result in higher mortality in those regions. In northeast Iowa, for example, the average snowfall for Dec. 1 through March 31 is 29 inches. This winter, the northeast received 33 inches of snowfall during December and January. In north central Iowa, the winter average is 29 inches of snow. This winter, the region received 19.7 inches during December and January.

"We currently have statewide snow cover and birds are concentrating around the best winter habitats. We've had some wind, but fortunately we haven't had any of the old fashioned blizzards that can take out 50 percent of the pheasant population in a couple of days," says Bogenschutz. "This year, winter storms have been more moderate. As one habitat drifts full, birds have been able to successfully move to the next best thing.

"When it comes to winter pheasant survival, food is not an issue," says Bogenschutz. "When it comes to finding forage, pheasants are extremely resourceful. In Iowa, starvation is not a problem."

What is critical, says Bogenschutz, is for birds to find secure winter habitats to protect from things like predators and exposure. Although people often worry about the effects of prolonged sub-zero temperatures, cold in itself is pretty much a non-issue. As long as birds can locate secure roosting cover such as cattails or native grasses, they can easily withstand the coldest temperatures the Midwest has to offer.