I was thinking that the picker killed fewer mature birds than the combine. What about nest destruction? I don't have an opinion, just know that when combines came to southern PA, the pheasants disappeared.
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I don't think there would be any difference in that regard, Bill. I've never seen a quail nest in a corn field anyway. We don't start combining until about the end of August/early September and nesting is about done by then. Bush hogging is different. It potentially destroys lots of nests.
We lose plenty enough corn behind a combine for game birds. If you can keep your harvest losses to 2% you're doing good. Two percent of 200 bushels is two bushels of corn per acre. Good for dove shoots!
I would think the "disappearance" of pheasants coinciding with the appearance of corn combines would be a coincidence. Not knowing much about pheasants tho', that is just conjecture.
