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Apr 27th, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,088 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,088 Likes: 36 |
Here in NY the preserve pheasant season goes until 4/15.
The suppliers still have birds because of the harsh winter, a lot of releases were canceled. We have been told that the breeding season has started, cock-birds are killing each other and the hens are gravid (have eggs).
I have been told that gravid birds will fly just fine (that from the suppliers that want to sell birds now).
OTOH I have been told by some hunters that late season hens with 2-3 eggs in them don't fly well at all and the dogs will usually chase them down.
Any experience with this?
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
- Errol Flynn
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,728 Likes: 50
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,728 Likes: 50 |
Most pheasants in breeders pens have blinders on them, even the hens, as both sexes are cannaballistic. This also helps them catch them in the pens and the blinders are removed when caught.
Breeders usually keep the first hatched birds as breeders, with the ratio being 1 cock to 10 hens and are put in a separate pen and by late Feb. early March are put in their own pens.
I think the main concern is by this time the hens are starting to loose scent as the wild birds will start a nest but will not set until the last egg is laid which is usually about 2 weeks time.
Since there are no longer any pheasants around here, we don't have to worry about that.
David
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,088 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,088 Likes: 36 |
So, are gravid hens reluctant to fly?
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
- Errol Flynn
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 43
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 43 |
I raise pheasants for training my dogs, the hens will fly exactly the same.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,088 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,088 Likes: 36 |
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
- Errol Flynn
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021 |
Great info David and Dave, great stuff!!!!
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,104 Likes: 592
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,104 Likes: 592 |
Interesting! Our preserve hunts are over by April 1st here, and from personal experience on birds late in the season, the hens don't fly very well. The explanation has always been the weight of the eggs they were presumably carrying.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 244
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 244 |
I have hunted late season preserve chukar. I will never do it again. The birds had almost no scent, so the dog would be right on top of them when he would finally smell them and go on point. And, the birds flew poorly. Can't say why they flew bad, though.
Overall, it wasn't worth the money I spent in terms of enjoyment, and it was not good training for the dog, either.
Just my one experience.
FWIW
Last edited by shinbone; 03/26/14 08:09 AM.
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