Report Nr. 3319 Pheasant Population Status in Michigan, 2000

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) distribution and abundance using spring crowing surveys, summer brood surveys and harvest surveys. This report summarizes the results of crowing and summer brood surveys from 1955 through 2000 and discusses the upcoming hunting season. Crowing surveys were completed along 69 routes this spring. Survey personnel heard an average of 2.3 pheasant crows per stop. The spring surveys were completed along 45 of the same routes as in 1999. Crowing counts were higher on 22 of the 45 comparable routes. while 19 decreased and 4 stayed the same. Observers heard an average of 2.6 crows/stop on comparable routes, which was a slight increase, but not statistically different from 2.4 crows/stop heard in 1999. A total of 835 mail carriers returned useable survey forms. Mail carriers observed 0.52 broods per ten carrier-days this summer compared to 0.46 broods per ten carrier-days during 1999. Records were available from 109 cooperators, who combined to hunt over 1,900 hours in 1999. Cooperators flushed 0.94 roosters per hour and 1.19 hens per hour while hunting. These flush rates are similar to those reported 1995-1997. the last years that cooperator data was collected.