The fact that Nebraskas pheasant populationis ailing is no secret. While many factors play a role in pheasantpopulation dynamics, quality nesting and brood rearing cover is at thetop of the list. In the mid 1980s, the USDAs Conservation ReserveProgram (CRP) provided a much-needed shot in the arm. Nebraskaspheasant population initially increased dramatically taking advantageof the great improvements in nesting cover.
While Nebraskas 1.1million acres of CRP offer the best opportunity to increase birdnumbers, the maximum benefits from the program have often goneunrealized. The original seeding mixtures planted and the successionalstage of the grass stands on CRP fields have often advanced without anymanagement, decreasing potential for bird production. Aging, less productive CRP grass stands are almost the norm with 50% of the grass stands being 13 years or older.
Considering upland bird productivity in most grass stands begins to drop off after 5 years, most CRP fields have advanced to a condition where diversity and productivity for wildlife are very low.
A few easy management practices can return CRP productivity for pheasants and quail. This brochure outlines a procedure to maximize CRP productivity. The procedure of disking and interseeding legumes is an approved practice for CRP. While few habitat benefits for upland wildlife happen over night, this practice will produce positive results within 1 year.
A Pheasant Prescription
- Check with NRCS: The landowner or operator must check with the local Natural Resource Conservation Service office to verify the project can be completed without a modification to the conservation plan. If a "Planning Sheet 19" is included in the conservation plan, no modification should be necessary.
- Selection of Site: No more than 33% of a CRP field can be disked in a given year. Disking can be conducted between the dates of August 1 to May 1.
- Disking the Field: Disking should be performed to a depth of 3 inches in most cases. The older, more mature the grass stand, the more aggressively you will need to disk to achieve maximum benefits. Multiple passes with the disk will probably be necessary.
- Drilling the legumes: A mixture of legumes should be planted at 5 to 10 lbs per acre, depending on the site and soil type. Pheasants Forever has developed several mixtures specifically designed to maximize your results with this effort. These mixtures can be ordered at 308-754-5339 or right here on the website.
- What to expect: The majority of the benefits will occur after the upgrade is about one year old and the legumes have had a chance to serve as nesting and brood rearing cover. The benefits of your upgrade will last 2-4 years; depending on the type of grass stand you have and how aggressively your disking was performed.
- Repeat: Be prepared to continue performing a disking/legume upgrade in a different portion of the field each year or every other year.
What can you do?
If the CRP field that you own or hunt displays symptoms of aging, consider taking the six steps of "A Pheasant Prescription". This prescription should be applied to a different 10-33% of the CRP field each year. You will notice considerable improvements the first year, and if administered correctly, it should result in healthy upland bird populations for the remainder of the CRP contract. Disking and interseeding legumes on mature CRP grass stands is the single most effective pheasant and quail habitat improvement practice that you can make happen. Upgrading just 20% of your field will quickly and dramatically increase its productivity for pheasants and quail.
A Prescription for Pheasants Presentation - (2,211 KB)
| | Disking may be performed on CRP fields from August 1 to May 1 each year.
Fields with a history of noxious weeds or a severe weed problem in portions of the field should be approached cautiously. Disking will allow seeds lying dormant in the field a chance to germinate and reappear.
Disking should not be performed on areas with severely erodible soils. |
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| | The amount of disking performed is the most important aspect of this project.
Multiple passes will likely be necessary to achieve the maximum benefits.
In this photo, three passes with the disk demonstrate the desired disking intensity and have left the area with over 40% residue on the ground.
Disking may be performed to a depth of 1 to 3 inches on up to 33% of the field each year. |
| | One year following disking and interseeding legumes, the upgrade in this photo produced cover over 18" tall that was excellent nesting & brood rearing cover.
Pheasants Forever produces several special mixtures specifically designed for upgrading CRP fields.
Disking mature CRP fields will also encourage annual weeds in the upgraded area. Many of the benefits of the upgrade are provided by these plants. |
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An upgraded area will produce the plants and attract insects that are critical to chick survival and growth.
CRP fields with a disking and legume upgrades have shown increased nesting success, increased insects for chicks and increased brood survival.
Disking and interseeding legumes is the single most effective habitat practice you can do to increase pheasants and quail on mature CRP fields.
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