DNR Plan describes big boost in pheasant habitat

DNR news release…

Plan describes big boost in pheasant habitat, harvest (2005-03-15)

Interesting reading, thanks Dave. As an owner of 400 acres of which 180 are in CRP and CREP, this is a subject close to my heart. I only had time to skim through the data presented but do have some problems with the projected numbers, especially for funding technicians to help promote government programs. Many other uncontrollable factors are involved here. One year a dry spring left our CRP under the 10″ minimum height needed for nesting hens and we produced few pheasants that year. As of late, we have been producing good flocks of chicks but an alarming growth rate of hawks(protected) and coyotes (unprotected) have taken their toll.

Also, the government is going to have to loosen their standards for qualifying land. We took very marginal farmland and had to plant a 15 acre tree/shrub plot, mantain a 5 acre corn plot, and dam a watershed just to qualify for CRP. People with average farmland cannot afford to go into these programs.

They also mentioned RIM which is a very risky program for family farms to be put into.

Anyway, it is late and I have to get some sleep as we are leaving early tomorrow for Leech lake. Thanks for the update, as you can see, you touched a subject that gets me going. More later, may have to write my congressman.

Interesting reading, thanks Dave. As an owner of 400 acres of which 180 are in CRP and CREP, this is a subject close to my heart. I only had time to skim through the data presented but do have some problems with the projected numbers, especially for funding technicians to help promote government programs. Many other uncontrollable factors are involved here. One year a dry spring left our CRP under the 10″ minimum height needed for nesting hens and we produced few pheasants that year. As of late, we have been producing good flocks of chicks but an alarming growth rate of hawks(protected) and coyotes (unprotected) have taken their toll.

Also, the government is going to have to loosen their standards for qualifying land. We took very marginal farmland and had to plant a 15 acre tree/shrub plot, mantain a 5 acre corn plot, and dam a watershed just to qualify for CRP. People with average farmland cannot afford to go into these programs.

They also mentioned RIM which is a very risky program for family farms to be put into.

Anyway, it is late and I have to get some sleep as we are leaving early tomorrow for Leech lake. Thanks for the update, as you can see, you touched a subject that gets me going. More later, may have to write my congressman.

Sounds great for the people who own or have access to private land. I don’t see how this should excite me too much. I’ll still have to drive 2 hours to hunt an already overhunted WMA while all the birds watch me from private land across the road.

Sounds great for the people who own or have access to private land. I don’t see how this should excite me too much. I’ll still have to drive 2 hours to hunt an already overhunted WMA while all the birds watch me from private land across the road.

I love the proposal and I think it is a great idea. However, as the article goes on the funding situation becomes a little fuzzy. It never hurts to dream though. Yesterday I drove from Marshall, MN to Luverne, MN. I saw atleast a dozen roosters right in the ditch. Stuff like that gets my heart racing. My uncle has 500+ acres all managed for wildlife in Swift Falls. They got enrolled in the programs at the right time and now they are putting money in their pockets. There are pockets of WMA all around them, so there is some great public is benefiting too. I have another Uncle who tills every acre of his land. I ask him every year to leave a 20 ft. shoulder on the top of the ditches, but he says no. What if every drainage ditch had to have 20 ft. of CRP grass on each side? I think pheasant numbers would skyrocket.

I love the proposal and I think it is a great idea. However, as the article goes on the funding situation becomes a little fuzzy. It never hurts to dream though. Yesterday I drove from Marshall, MN to Luverne, MN. I saw atleast a dozen roosters right in the ditch. Stuff like that gets my heart racing. My uncle has 500+ acres all managed for wildlife in Swift Falls. They got enrolled in the programs at the right time and now they are putting money in their pockets. There are pockets of WMA all around them, so there is some great public is benefiting too. I have another Uncle who tills every acre of his land. I ask him every year to leave a 20 ft. shoulder on the top of the ditches, but he says no. What if every drainage ditch had to have 20 ft. of CRP grass on each side? I think pheasant numbers would skyrocket.

Hey Bigfife!

Swift Falls area is nice! My in-laws are in Brooten and I love hunting out that way. Tons of WMA’s and I’ve got to know a couple of farmers too. This next year I’m planning on hitting it hard. My GSP will be 2 in October and she is getting to know what to do. Can’t wait!

dd

Hey Bigfife!

Swift Falls area is nice! My in-laws are in Brooten and I love hunting out that way. Tons of WMA’s and I’ve got to know a couple of farmers too. This next year I’m planning on hitting it hard. My GSP will be 2 in October and she is getting to know what to do. Can’t wait!

dd