Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010 - 25

bers, and average brood sizes can tell us if WITHOUT the strong support of the pheasant reproduction in our WPRAs is many farmers and other landowners inconsistent with other sustainable populavolved, and the USDA’s Conservation Retions studied in the past. Additional reports serve Enhancement Program (CREP), that secure pheasant nesting cover, ultiof wild pheasant sightings throughout the mately, wild pheasant recovery efforts year provide dispersal data and informacould not even be attempted. For more tion on large flocks of pheasants. information see the Ring-necked PheasVolunteers with bird dogs conduct flushant Management Plan for Pennsylvania, ing surveys in late winter to determine preat www.pgc.state.pa.us. nesting season sex ratios, and a ratio of at least 1:1 is needed for the population to be another release year and continued able to grow. Flushing survey sample sizes monitoring will provide more informaare also important. Because bigger sample tion. sizes provide the most accurate picture of While pheasants are not doing as the sex ratio, the volunteers (and dogs), well as hoped for in some of the early who help survey large areas of habitat, are WPRAs, we have learned that using very important. the habitat model from the pheasant Spring hen density in the Pike Run management plan to select appropriWPRA increased from 2 to 3 hens/mi2 from ate WPRA sites is critical. Since the 2009 to 2010. In the Central Susquehanna WPRA’s Turbotville-PPL study area from 2008 to 2010, hen density increased from 3 to 6 to 9 hens/mi2. In the Central Susquehanna WPRA’s Greenwood Valley study area, hen density fluctuated from 2 to 4 to 2 hens/mi2 GOOD HABITAT, like with all wildlife, is key in birds from 2008 to 2010. In 2010 surviving the winter in WPRAs. in the Somerset WPRA, hen density was 1 hen/mi2. completion of the pheasant manageIt is important to continue monitoring ment plan and the development of the for six years, as longer trends will better habitat model, approval of all protell us whether the populations are increas- posed WPRA sites is based on whether ing, decreasing or staying the same over or not the existing habitat compotime. More details from wild pheasant nents fit the habitat model. We are monitoring are also available in the Wild optimistic that WPRAs with suitable Pheasant Recovery Area Annual Report habitat and size can give wild pheasfor 2010, available at the Game Commis- ants a chance at making a comeback sion website. in select areas of the state. WPRA sites At this time the Turbotville-PPL study must provide a sufficient level of searea in the Central Susquehanna WPRA cure nesting habitat, and habitat imis showing considerable promise in reach- provements should be made continuing 10 hens/mi2 within the 6-year moni- ally to ensure future pheasant habitat. toring period. Pike Run and Greenwood Ultimately, the right combination of Valley are not doing as well. While it is suitable habitat components in a farmtoo early to know how the wild pheasant land landscape is the key to success for population will do in the Somerset WPRA, wild pheasant populations.
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Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010