Thanks for the information Fred.

I only went hunting for pheasants one time this year, and didn't get close enough for a shot, so I wasn't able to tell the age of them. But I have talked to a few of my buddies, and they have told me that the majority of the birds that they shoot are yearlings. Do you really think that heat stress to the birds causes a staggering amount of deaths? Disregarding the age of the birds shot, I don't see 105-110 degree weather in the days, could be hot enough to acting kill a pheasant as long as they have water. They always a bit of grass or shrub to hide in the shade and most of the time a good amount of wind.

Pheasants raised in capivity are brooded at appox. 98.5 degrees. I've witnessed times when the brooders would malfunction and not turn off, causing the heat to be up in the 110+ range and still as long as the chicks have room and water, they're usually ok. Wouldn't the heat stress affect the quail the same also? I'm know many do die every year from heat stress, but birds in the wild, I would consider it a very low percentage of deaths that are directly related to heat stress water and shade is avaliable(Which has been in even the drought years)IMO. The adult pheasant is a hardy bird.

I do agree that the bailing of CRP, really hurt the birds this year. Just took away a lot of cover. Just seems there are also so many ditch and hedge rows being cleared, that used to be here before the drought years.

Where around here did you hunt? Just curious, becuase I've heard different reports for different parts of the county.
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