Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page A10) Management Pheasants Plan By Scott Klinger, Wildlife Biologist and Colleen DeLong, Biologist Aide T HE RING-NECKED pheasant is one of the most popular game birds in North America, and the Game Commission has a long history with pheasants, dating back to 1892, when the first birds were released in the Commonwealth. Although pheasant populations have declined dramatically from the boom years of the 1960s and ’70s the pheasant is still of primary interest to many Pennsylvania hunters. To guide our pheasant restoration and management efforts over the next 10 years, the Game Commission recently drafted the Ring-necked Pheasant Management Plan for Pennsylvania. The stated mission of the plan is, “to provide a quality ring-necked pheasant hunting experience in Pennsylvania.” Supporting goals, objectives and strategies are identified for guiding restoration and management decisions over the next 10 years. This plan provides the most comprehensive look at the ring-necked pheasant ever undertaken in Pennsylvania. Information on taxonomy, biology, history, habitat, habitat trends, population trends, propagation, hunting, habitat management, restoration, monitoring and research needs are discussed in detail. The plan recognizes that restoring wild pheasant populations will not be easy. We cannot go back to the millions of acres of secure nesting and brood- rearing cover that were in place in the 1960s and ‘70s. However, providing better hunting and more hunting opportunities for pheasants is possible. Hunters are encouraged to review the plan and provide comments. The plan can be viewed at www.pgc.state.pa.us. Wild Pheasant Restoration After many years of planning, the Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Restoration began in February 2007. The goal of the project is to reestablish a wild pheasant population in suitable habitat in the Central Susquehanna area. The first release included 329 wild pheasants, which were trapped and transferred from South Dakota and Montana to Pennsylvania. The birds were released in Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties in February 2007. A second release of 366 birds, from Montana, took place in February 2008. Release sites were selected with large expanses of grassland habitat created by private land enrolled in USDA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The landowners were extremely helpful in facilitating the releases and posting signs to prohibit pheasant hunting and dog training for the first few years to give the population a chance to establish. The pheasant population on the study area will be monitored over the next few years to determine the success of the restoration program. The Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant restoration was made possible through a partnership including the Central Susquehanna Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Pheasants Forever, Inc., the Pennsylvania Game Commission, PPL Montour Preserve and the Mellon Foundation. http://www.pgc.state.pa.us
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