Pheasant weather

EPointer=Birdss

What a season we've had to date for the pheasants hatching in the wild. I've seen some fine big clutches & things were looking good. I do fear however the rain in the last few weeks will undo all the earlier success.

This is a field I run the dogs off season that sometimes holds a bird but or clutch but not often so its my best place off season. There was 3 & 4 feet of water in places where a river burst it's banks & back flooded drains!
What are you guys seeing??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdWwACJPjHE

mallards

Yip, same up our way, although the rain hasn't been quite as bad as its been in the rest of the country. I read somewhere that pheasant chicks survive rain better in the first couple of weeks rather than as young poults. The reason is as they are small, they can brood under the hen and keep warm and dry, as they get bigger they all can't get under all of the time ,so they start to perish. I've a few wild broods of red legs that I hope the weather is kind to!

Mallards

marlin vs

Bad here as-well, and fellas hunting their dog's at this time of year is not helping.

EPointer=Birdss

marlin vs wrote: »

Bad here as-well, and fellas hunting their dog's at this time of year is not helping.

Hunting or running?
I run my dogs in places like this which usually don't hold birds. It's a glorified walk.
Are you seeing lads hunting as in intentionally searching for & flushing game?

blackstairsboy

Same down my way lads but probably not as bad as out your way EP judging by the video.
I am thinking to my myself with the rain the silage has been delayed by nearly two weeks so hopefully any broods on silage ground can be moved out with dogs before the mowers move in. Anything is better than a dead hen and poults so even if you move a hen from eggs these can be gathered for incubation. Bottom line is there is no point leaving them in the path of the mower.

Birdnuts

Theres been a couple of bouts of heavy rain in these parts since April that have hit ground nesting birds hard - the duck ponds of the Blessington Game Conservancy have seen most nests failing due to high water levels with the broken eggs of various water-fowl much in evidence on the shore-lines of the lake:(

EPointer=Birdss

With our climate appearing to get wetter & wetter I wonder how birds would suffer only for breeding & releasing by hunting lads.
There's an FYP right there for any college goers & post it off to all the anti groups when done!!

marlin vs

EPointer=Birdss wrote: »

Hunting or running?

Does a dog know the difference? as far as I know when I bring my dog's out they think they are hunting and don't know the difference and this time of year is the wrong time to have them out because iv'e seen dog's kill young poult's.

EPointer=Birdss

marlin vs wrote: »

Does a dog know the difference? as far as I know when I bring my dog's out they think they are hunting and don't know the difference and this time of year is the wrong time to have them out because iv'e seen dog's kill young poult's.

Well I realize that my friend but my question was geared towards the owners not the dog.
Big difference in running a dog in a field with none to limited game & hunting a dog in game country. As said I run the dogs where there's very little to any game & that's not shot all year round. I dont see it as detrimental given I might see or hear a pheasant every 20-30 trips that has wondered in from neighboring areas. I am very concious of both my dogs & putting them in a situation they might kill a chick/poult & also to my seasonal quary that would be obviously affected the following year.
I take it the lads you come across are hunting on club grounds, sanctuaries etc & not giving 2 sh**s where they go or what they meet.

marlin vs

Yes that is the case ep, and although Ive had words with these felas they still do it.

blackstairsboy

marlin vs wrote: »

Yes that is the case ep, and although Ive had words with these felas they still do it.

I would then be talking to the farmers if that is the case. I am sure when you say to them about them disturbing nesting birds etc they will be on your side. Farmer will then tell the lads that there not welcome on his land during the nesting time because he doesn't want the birds disturbed or else make up some other reason such as disturbing stock or something. You could have it set up so the lads never knew you said anything to the farmer so you get no hassle.

marlin vs

Trouble is one is a farmers son and the other is Chairman of the club and they rule the roost.

blackstairsboy

marlin vs wrote: »

Trouble is one is a farmers son and the other is Chairman of the club and they rule the roost.

Well your chairman must be a complete plum. You should bring it up at a meeting bite the bullet and say it. A good tip is have a quite word with a few lads you know before it so you know you have back up. Even talk to lads who might be friendly with the chairman because when you are one on one they will tend to agree with you. Then you can say your bit and then say something like " sure John you said the same to me last week when we were chatting said you agreed with me didn't you " Even if "John" did not want to back you publicly he is hardly going to lie and say he was not talking to you. You have to have a bit of savvy dealing with these kind of lads.

marlin vs

Ive brought it up at several meetings and said it straight out to the man himself at the meetings, but all I get is ahh sure he's nearly 70 leave him alone, but the same fella sure can give out about younger fellas that are not from the area.:rolleyes:

blackstairsboy

Seem to have done all you can so Marlin.
Awful pity but sure what can you do. Drives me mad when you break your hole trapping in the Spring for some lad to undo all your hard work in a few minutes.