The Crowing Post:  09/18/06

Nebraska 2006-07 Pheasant and Quail Forecast

Pheasant:  Pheasant hunters harvested an estimated 437,000 roosters in the "Cornhusker State" last year, the highest harvest total in five years. With a mild winter and relatively normal spring production conditions, the stage is set for a similar season this fall. The state's July rural mail carrier survey indicated a 7 percent drop in pheasants, while the state's August roadside survey exhibited a 6 percent increase over last year. The highest abundance of birds can be found in the state's southwestern counties, followed by those in the northeast. Nebraska also offers excellent hunting opportunities on private lands through CRP-MAP (Managed Access Program), which improves habitat and provides public access on nearly 200,000 CRP acres annually. The state's CREP, Corners for Wildlife, and Focus on Pheasants programs are also creating wildlife habitat. Season Opener: October 28

Quail: The "Cornhusker State" offers good bobwhite hunting opportunities with 134,000 bobs bagged statewide last year. That was down from 2004's 164,000 quail harvest total. Although the state's spring whistle counts and July rural mail carrier survey indicated no change in quail numbers from last year on a statewide level, the north central and north east quadrants were the only areas of Nebraska to show a drop in numbers. The state's southeast corner traditionally offers the best quail numbers with this year being no exception. In fact, the state's rural mail carrier survey indicated a whopping 42 percent increase over last year in southeast Nebraska. Season Opener: October 28

 habitat today….pheasants forever!