I think pheasants have declined for all of the reasons mentioned but I feel predators, especially hawks and owls, are a big part of it.

As a for instance, I have 67 acres here in Ohio that is not pheasant habitat, but should hold a large number of other small game such as rabbits. I do not farm it, but there are old apple trees, wild grapes, wild cherry, clover, plenty of cover and water. I hardly see a rabbit after the summer is over. Also very few squirrels despite plenty of hickory and oak. Saw the last grouse several years ago.

I think a lot of this began with the drop in fur prices. Hardly any trappers these days and very few coon hunters. Skunks and coon will certainly eat pheasant and other bird eggs as well as young nestlings.

I lose my training pigeons to hawks, but shooting them is illegal. I'm not for eliminating all birds of prey, but we sure need some control. Also bringing back fur prices or advocating predator hunting and trapping as sports would help. I sure miss the days of wild pheasants.

Airedales hunt for feather or fur!