Where have the pheasants gone?

[prairiedog555]

I live in NE Kansas, Hiawatha.  I moved here in 1996.  At that time it was not difficult for me to go out by myself with my Brit and average 2 pheasants and a couple of quail every morning within a 5mi radius.  Now, and for the last 5 years, I am reluctant to shoot a pheasant, as one of my friends says they are like an indangered species.  I get out a lot, so it is not that it is only my limited experience.

So, Why the dramatic change?  Few people hunt so it is not pressure.

Two things have happend.
 
First:There are WAY more turkeys.  Farmers tell me that the turkeys will browse around and root up nests and eat quail and pheasant chicks.

2nd:  The fur business went to hell and few people are trapping.  Lots of coyotes, coons, skunks ect. 

One other thing, maybe the farming techniques have changed, I don't really know about that, I mean more pestiside or something.

What do you think

[dukkillr]

I've hunted around Atchison and Seneca several times.  Both places have always seemed to be right on the edge of pheasant country and have corresponding numbers.  You don't see the big blocks of CRP or irrigation corners like you do west of there.  You also don't see the culture of upland hunting that values habitat and birds.  I have heard that the reason pheasants dont do well in the east and south east parts of the state is the type of soil...

From my personal experience I would say Kansas still has fantastic pheasant hunting, just not in the area you are talking about.  I like the turkeys though...

[280Ackley]

I used to hunt that area a lot.  It is only about an hour from me in SE Nebraska.  It was great in the 90's.  I think it is a change in ag practices and the weather.  During the same period of time in SE Kansas you could move 15 to 20 coveys a day.  No more.  There are still lots of birds in Kansas.  In fact, I hunt more in Kansas than in Nebraska.  The place to be now is west.  Sorry I can't be more specific, but if you get a public land atlas and just start scouting now you'll find some great places before Oct.

[nhnef]

You had me scared when I first saw the subject of this post.   

I have a trip planned from New Hampshire to Kansas again this year and I was hoping that the bird numbers are at least as good as we saw last year.  Last year I limited out most days even with the sub zero temps. 

I'm planning on bringing out my .22 to shoot some bunnies as well.  Are they as thick this year as last?  I'm hunting over near Prairie View, KS and last year we didn't shoot because we had our dogs out all the time.  This year hopefully we will run the dogs in the morning then shoot cottontails at noon then back to shooting quail and Pheasant in the late afternoon.  I also picked up a deer tag cuz I saw so many deer last year.  I'm trying to make the 1600 mile drive worth doing by bringing back as much meat as I can carry.

[prairiedog555]

The area I am referring to is NE Kansas, Brown Co. to be exact.  Going due West the numbers are much better.
As to rabbits, this must be a high point in the cycle, they are everywhere. 

[nhnef]

Whoo Hoo!!!!

I'm hearing great things about birds all up and down the midwest this year.  Kansas should be fun.  We're bringing .22 pistols to shoot rabbits, my 25-06 for my deer tag and of course my Wired Hair Griffon to find Pheasant and quail.

Can't wait for November to get here.

[Tommie D]

I live in NE Kansas, Hiawatha.  I moved here in 1996.  At that time it was not difficult for me to go out by myself with my Brit and average 2 pheasants and a couple of quail every morning within a 5mi radius.  Now, and for the last 5 years, I am reluctant to shoot a pheasant, as one of my friends says they are like an indangered species.  I get out a lot, so it is not that it is only my limited experience.

So, Why the dramatic change?  Few people hunt so it is not pressure.

Two things have happend.
 
First:There are WAY more turkeys.  Farmers tell me that the turkeys will browse around and root up nests and eat quail and pheasant chicks.

2nd:  The fur business went to hell and few people are trapping.  Lots of coyotes, coons, skunks ect. 

One other thing, maybe the farming techniques have changed, I don't really know about that, I mean more pestiside or something.

What do you think

Most likely it's the farming. If you search the KDWP web site you will find a PDF file on a study they did and it states that Turkeys really don't eat Quail eggs and also have no impact on the Quail population. Trapping out all the furbearers did not have much impact either. It's good reading.

[prairiedog555]

As to the validity of statements and studies made by the KDWP, I feel that they have their own agenda.  I tend to listen to the local farmers who I see at coffee shop many mornings.  They believe that it is the turkeys and the predators.  They truth is probabally somewhere in between.
I guess I lost faith in KDWP when they repeatedly denied that there was a chance that there were mountain lions in Kansas, when there were many documented sightings, myself included.  (I lived and hunted in Nevada and know what a mountain lion looks like).  And the way they cater to the lease hunters that lock up all the good land.
And ask any turkey grower, they eat their own chicks.

I'm from the Government and I'm here to help you.  

[nhnef]

Hey Guys,

Leaving on Tuesday to head out to Norton, KS.  Can't wait and wish I could be leaving today!

I'm bringing my Predator calls so I'll see what I can do about killing some coyotes.  I'm pretty sure that fall Turkey season kicks in while I'm there as well so I'll be sure to pop one as well.  Last year we were seeing flocks of 100 or more Turkeys south of Norton near Speed/Logan area.  I'm bringing 2 shotguns, 2 rifles, a couple of .22 handguns and a very good pointy dog.  Oh yeah my buddy is bringing his springer as well.  Should be epic as long as the weather holds out.  My buddy kind of screwed this up taking a job that didn't let him get going until next week.  I wanted to be there this week and I'm seeing that the weather is perfect for bird hunting. 

Leave some for me!