The Habitat

Habitat sounds simple enough but it's really quite complex if you want to maximize carrying capacity. Finding the right balance of (DNC) dense nesting cover, warm season grasses and wetlands, crop land, food plots and woody cover can be challenging. But on top of that, the right ratio and order of each can make or break a pheasant production area.

We are located in the prairie pothole region which is naturally the best pheasant and duck producing areas in North America. Our habitat is centered around natural wetlands. DNC is important in early spring with insect attracting plants being important for the survival of newly hatched chicks. This cover along with warm season grasses and cropland are used throughout the summer. When winter comes the strategic placement of warm season grasses, food plots and woody planting around wetlands will help survival.

Specifically on our own farm we have hundreds of acres of grass plantings of different types and sizes. Over fifty food plots of corn, milo and sorghum that total more than 180 acres are scattered throughout the farm. Both old and new tree plantings protect wintering areas. And each year we try something new to hopefully improve upon our habitat plan to benefit the birds.