Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
I went pheasant hunting for about 10 years out in Gorham, KS and it got progressively worse every year.
I quit going 6-8 years ago. It’s mostly just walking fields these days.
I’m sure there’s a reason but the hell if I know what it is.
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I haven’t been up there, but there are probably several reasons.
6-8 years ago was the worst drought since the Dust Bowl. Here anyway. I imagine there too.
That area is probably far enough east they probably switched to some beans. Those are cut off on the ground as opposed to leaving standing stalks.
Another component is there are fewer shitty farmers. When I was a kid there were always some ****ers that would have a weed mess. And that is cover and a good food source for pheasants. Economics and attrition has drive those guys out to a high degree. I’m guessing Gorham hasn’t escaped that economic trend.
Here there is less irrigation by a substantial amount. I don’t know if there was ever irrigation there, so that may not be a factor.
Predation is a major issue. Now there are far more coyotes than there used to be. And the first Fox moved in probably 5 years ago. Those quick little ****ers are hard to kill.
I’m sure there are other components I’m missing, because in theory the bitds should have bounced back better after the drought. And there will be some where there is cover and water, but the numbers just won’t take off it seems.