This is just a brief post about our second hatch of pheasants and the release which took place last Friday August 6th. For more details log into Upland Journal and our Pheasant Surrogator Thread.
I liked this location better than the earlier one as it was down in the river bottom and lots more cover and feed as well as its proximity to the river itself left little doubt they'd find water.
This time we added a feeder close by to where we released them, a step skipped the first time around and might have been a mistake (not sure)?
This feeder doubles as a waterer as well; but due to the rivers' proximity we didnt see the point in hooking it up. The tub shaped feeder is weather proof and provides dry feed for as long as the birds wish to utilize it. However, I'm convinced this thing is designed more for quail as soon the young pheasant wont be able to get underneath it to feed.
The "hopper infestation" is in full swing though and the ground was covered with thousands; so may not be neccessary, but we put it in place just to be on the safe side.
Even though several types of seedlings were planted by the hired-hand, this being the first time the area was tilled under; a wild native sunflower took over and in some places was head high (note: small figure on left is a man walking near river almost completely obscured).
Several birds of various species were flushed while walking it (pheasant/sharps/doves etc); so besides the obvious benefit of vast safety cover; it seems the birds are using it for feed already too.
Since it was downright HOT, we all hopped on four-wheelers to cool off; and cruised the ranch checking out the shelter-belts planted, and looking for elk and antelope.
No elk this time out, but plenty of deer and antelope around and some nice bucks too!
With a storm brewing on the horizon we headed back to the ranch house and called it a day.
..A 'great day' in fact, in beautiful Montana.
Moe
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