Pheasants and quail eggs

[Adam Waszak]

I am really thinking this year could be a tough one for the birds. Not only has this rain most likely killed the majority of te eggs out in the fields, but after the birds re-lay the eggs those little hatchlings will be very young late into the summer and early fall. I guess that could be good for some of them as it will be harder to identify the roosters then but I really am expecting lower numbers of pheasants and no quail this fall after all of this rain. Most of the fiels I hunt in and where they nest in are currently 6 inches deep in water after this week. I hope I am wrong, anyone else seeing any better news with the birds? Hopefully you all have some high ground for them to nest on and escape all of this rain.

AW

[drwink]

I'm with you here, wasn't real worried till the last week or so.
I was able to get out and plow some ground to do some food plots last month but haven't been able to get the tractor in the field due to all this rain.
I have some wild Pheasants around and the roosters are still doing there mating rituals so maby there will still be some late nesters and broods hatching.
On the other hand, I have a hundred quail eggs on the incubator due to hatch saturday & the dogs will have some birds to play with :D

Wally

[Adam Waszak]

Well I am sure they will breed again but I am not sure what kind of shape they will be in come later in the summer? You can run state land on July 15th and there are plenty of birds that can hardly fly then i wonder what they will be like come the this fall because they will be a month or so behind in maturity which can be a big difference. I hope this all dries out soon enough for the breeding to continue successfully. Good luck with the quail!!!! :)

AW

[Rooster_Smasher]

I have been wondering that myself. Also wondering how much rain they have been getting up-north in the Grouse woods ???

[Back woods]

We've been getting alot of rain up here also. The woods seem to be soaking it up. The lower grounds near creeks and areas where there is a high water table are now starting to hold water. I am not real worried yet on bird hatches because the areas where the grouse are nesting are not flooding and I was told by a few local woodcock banders that they have been seeing flying broods for some time now.

I guess we'll wait until July 15th to really know what the outcome will be.



Back Woods

[Bear Creek]

It is very wet everywhere. The pheasant nests I'm sure have drowned out. I would worry about the Quail re-nesting as they do this down south all the time. As many as 3 or 4 times before they have a successful hatch. The only problem around MI is are there any Quail left?? It only takes a quail 16 weeks to reach maturity, pheasants on the other hand take 20 weeks to reach maturity. Come on dry weather!!

Bear Creek

[Adam Waszak]

Quail are in central michigan area but how many after this rain I don't know. They seem to die if you look at them crosseyed :dizzy: I just want some drier weather to get those birds back in business. The grouse that I hunt up north are all nesting in woods thatis basically gravel so I know they are doing well. Rain rain go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cool:

AW

[Steelheadfred]

Went for a Long Hike Yesterday in the Greater TC area!


I think the Grouse and Woodcock are going to be OK - only the lowest areas are holding water and you can count on the cover being extra thick this fall. Could be good as the birds may hold a little better but at the same time lots more stuff inbetween us and them! Should help survival of the chicks. I was thinking the worst but Backwoods and Linda G. that know a lot more than I are pretty confident so hopefully things will be as good as last year if not better.

Bear Creek did you mean to say "I would worry about the Quail re-nesting as they do this down south all the time" I would not worry? or to worry about them?

Have a great Day!