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This report summarizes the results and provides data tables of the 1981 pheasant crowing survey, with data broken down by country and region. The 1980-81 winter was quite mild throughout the pheasant range and there was hope for a continuation in the upswing which began the previous year. Results of the crowing survey did not reflect this, however, with overall counts practically unchanged from 1980.
The summer brood count showed only a slight improvement over last year's record low, with a tally of 1.2 broods per 10 carrier days (1.1 in 1982) in the primary range. This may be somewhat surprising in view of the past extremely mild winter. Thumb area counties continue to lead all other areas with a composite average of 3.1 broods per 10 carrier days. The 1982 estimated pheasant harvest of 250,000 was the lowest in the 46 years of kill records since 1937. The slight increase in broods this year does not indicate that we can expect a much better hunting season than 1982.
This report presents estimates of small game harvest and hunter numbers in Michigan for the 1987 small game seasons and any extensions of those seasons into the 1988 calendar year. The questionnaires were sent to a random sample of individuals who purchased one of six license types giving them authority to hunt small game in 1987. A total of 304,141 people hunted small game during the 1987 seasons compared to 298,283 in 1986. More hunters took to the field for pheasant, grouse, woodcock, rabbits, hares, and squirrels in 1987 than in 1986. Hunter take also increased for those species. Only the number of duck hunters and their take declined. The pheasant harvest increased 33 percent from 1986, and cottontail rabbit and squirrel harvests were the highest since 1981 and 1975, respectively.
This report discusses the history of the pheasant population within the state of Michigan, starting from the overabundance of population in the 1940s and early 1950s to the first significant decline in the 1960s. From there, it moves to the resurgence of population in the 1970s to the significantly low population present at the time of printing. From there, it proposes reasons for the decline and discusses in detail the Sichuan pheasant introduction project.
The Wildlife Pathology Laboratory monitored the health status of put-take pheasants at both the Breeder and Hatchery Unit and Rearing Unit during the production year 1981 (March-December) to detect diseases and other conditions which might threaten the success of the put-take program. In the monitoring effort, sick and dead pheasant were collected and examined by the Wildlife Pathology Laboratory each week. Necropsy results have been tabulated for each of the units following the descriptions of these findings.
This report presents the results of a mail survey to individuals who purchased one of six license types giving them authority to hunt in Michigan during the 1988 small game seasons and any extensions of those seasons into the 1989 calendar year.
The Wildlife Disease Laboratory monitored the health status of the Sichuan pheasants, Sichuan X ring-necked pheasants, and the ring-necked pheasants housed at the Mason Wildlife Facility Hatchery Unit and Rearing Unit and the Sichuan x ring-necked pheasants raised by the Jackson Pheasants Forever chapter and the Pigeon Sportsman's Club. Monitoring was done in order to detect diseases and other conditions which might threaten the success of the Southern Michigan Pheasant Program. When available, sick and dead pheasants were collected and examined on a weekly basis by personnel of the Wildlife Disease Laboratory. Necropsy results have been tabulated for the birds which were examined from the 4 units, following the descriptions of these findings. These are the results from the year 1989.
Youth pheasant hunts conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources during late summer 1981 and 1982 provided an additional opportunity to learn about Michigan's young hunters. The hunts put first-time hunters who had recently completed a Hunter Education course under controlled conditions with a high probability of observing and shooting at pheasants. As a result, good safety habits could be established under the watchful eye of an adult. It was hoped that numerous shooting opportunities would improve shooting and hunting techniques, provide a satisfying initial hunt, and stimulate hunting interest. The current report summarizes both years of the project (1981 and 1982) and makes recommendations for future youth hunts. A total of 38 and 102 young hunters participated in the 1981 and 1982 hunts, respectively. Most (68%) of the participants were under 14 years of age. During both years, single-shot shotguns were the most common firearm used, followed by pumps and double-barrels. Approximately half (49%) of the hunters used 20- gauge guns, followed by 12 (21%) and .410 (19%) gauges. The young hunters saw an average of 8.5 cocks during an average of 2.6 hours of hunting in 1981 and 5.4 legal pheasants during 3.1 hours of hunting in 1982. They shot at about half of the legal birds they saw. Approximately 97% and 92% of the young hunters fired at least once during the 1981 and 1982 hunts, respectively. Young hunters bagged an average of 1.0 birds/hunter during 1981 and 0.9 birds/hunter during 1982.
This report presents the results of a mail survey to individuals who purchased one of six license types giving them authority to hunt in Michigan during the 1989 small game seasons and any extensions of those seasons into the 1990 calendar year.
Report of the results of the 1985 pheasant crowing survey, including 1984 numbers for comparison and interpretation of results.
The Wildlife Disease Laboratory monitored the health status of the various species of pheasants, housed at the Mason Wildlife Facility, Rose Lake Hatchery Unit, Midland Sportsmans Club, Jackson Pheasants Forever chapter, and Pigeon Sportsman's Club. Monitoring was done in order to detect diseases and other conditions which might threaten the success of the Southern Michigan Pheasant Program. When available, sick and dead pheasants were collected and examined on a weekly basis by personnel of the Wildlife Disease Laboratory. Necropsy results have been tabulated for the birds which were examined from the 6 units. These are the results for the year 1990.
In 1986, thirty standard pheasant crowing routes were conducted as compared to 38 routes in 1985. Several routes were conducted twice to compare results. Information from these multiple surveys will be used to evaluate the efficiency of crowing routes. The crowing index (average calls/stop) was nearly the same as 1985 (2.9-1985; 2.8-1986).The Thumb Area continued to show a blanket decline, while the remainder of the State appears to show no consistent pattern of either increases or decreases. Birds are evenly low across the state.
Breakdown and interpretation of the numbers of the 1978 pheasant brood survey carried out by rural mail carriers. Includes 1977 numbers for comparison.
Early season reports from pheasant cooperators allow biologists to quickly assess hunter success and local field conditions across Michigan's Lower Peninsula (Zones 2 and 3) at the beginning of the pheasant season. This report summarizes their responses for October 20-23, 2013.
In 1995, 50 standard pheasant crowing routes were conducted as compared to 48 routes in 1994. Additional routes were completed but not used in this analysis. The crowing index (average numbers of calls per stop) was 31 percent lower in 1994. DNR Districts 9. 13, and 11 (Grand Rapids, Jackson and Shiawassee) were above average. District 12 (Plainwell) was below average with 2.2 crows/stop. The population of pheasants is at a low level across the state.
The Wildlife Disease Laboratory monitored the health status of captive pheasants at both the Breeder and Hatchery Unit and Rearing Unit during the production year 1984 to detect diseases and other conditions which might threaten the success of the captive pheasant program. When available, sick and dead pheasants were collected and examined in the monitoring effort by the Wildlife Disease Laboratory each week. Necropsy results have been tabulated for each of the units following the descriptions of these findings.
This report presents the results of a mail survey to individuals who purchased one of six license types giving them authority to hunt in Michigan during the 1990 small game seasons and any extensions of those seasons into the 1991 calendar year.
From 1987 to 1991, numerous changes were made in the spring pheasant survey to better monitor population changes. The number of crowing survey routes completed by wildlife Division personnel increased from 36 in 1987 to a maximum of 63 by 1989. In addition, over 200 routes were established in specific townships from a twelve-county area. The five-year period from 1987 to 1991 also saw major changes in Michigan's pheasant population. The 1991 crowing survey indicates that, statewide, the population has more than doubled since 1986 (2.8 in 1986, 6.5 in 1991). The 1986 pheasant population was one of the lowest since the 1920s when ring-necked birds were first hunted in the State. The 1991 population is comparable to numbers occurring in the late 1970s. The present population level is still 30 to 50 percent lower than those recorded in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Table of data from the 1978 and 1979 rural mail carrier winter pheasant surveys.
In August 1981, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted 4 pilot youth pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hunts at the Rose Lake Wildlife Research Area. A number of benefits were anticipated. Special youth pheasant hunts would encourage prospective young hunters to take the mandatory Hunter Education course earlier in the year, thus alleviating the high demand immediately prior to the fall hunting seasons. Such hunts would allow first-time hunters to put into practice hunting and firearm skills learned in the classroom, with immediate feedback from a watchful adult. Also, a good density of pheasants and little competition from other hunters would help ensure a high flush rate, and in a single hunt, young hunters would be able to correct mistakes (e.g., fumbling for the safety, knowing when to shoot, safe field of fire, leading birds). Finally, a satisfying initial hunt might help stimulate their interest in hunting. In 4 hunts, 38 hunters spent an average of 2.6 hours afield. They saw an average of 8.5 cocks and shot at half. Hunters fired from 0 to 16 shots. They most commonly used a single shot shotgun; 50% hunted with a 20-gauge shotgun.
Results of the 1982 Summer Rural Mail Carrier Pheasant Brood survey, which shows gloomy prospects for the next year.
This report presents estimates of small game kill and hunter numbers in Michigan for the 1983 small game seasons and any extensions of those seasons in the 1984 calendar year. A total of 312,090 people hunted for small game during the 1983 seasons; the eighth consecutive year of decreasing small game hunter numbers and a drop of 14% from the 1982 total of 364,851 hunters. This figure represents a 50% decline in the number of small game hunters from the 1975 total of 626,493 hunters. In spite of the fact that waterfowl hunter numbers declined from 1982, a 15% increase in the duck harvest was recorded in 1983. A 20% increase in the goose kill was also observed. The 1983 hunting season was the second consecutive year that hunting information for red fox, gray fox, and coyotes was requested on the small game report. Hunter take of gray fox was up 39% from the previous year, while kill figures for red fox and coyotes were down. Hunting information for bobcats, opossums, and mink was added to this year's report. A total of 360 bobcats, 24,810 opossums, and 1,450 mink were reported killed.
The Wildlife Disease Laboratory monitored the health status of put-take pheasants at both the Breeder and Hatchery Unit and Rearing Unit during the production year 1983 to detect diseases and other conditions which might threaten the success of the put-take program. In the monitoring effort, sick and dead pheasants were collected and examined by the Wildlife Disease Laboratory each week. Necropsy results have been tabulated for each of the units following the descriptions of these findings.
This report presents estimates of small game kill and hunter numbers in Michigan for the 1979 small game seasons and any extensions of those seasons into the 1980 calendar year.
The 1983 Rural Mail Carrier Winter Pheasant survey consists of a table listing the total pheasants, total hens and total cocks reported by rural mail carriers by county for both 1982 and 1983. The table also includes the number of carriers and the number of miles covered in each county, as well as aggregate data for the region covered in the surveys.
