Good numbers of birds. Fewer hunters. Perhaps even better days ahead.
That’s the assessment of Colorado’s 2008-09 pheasant season as delivered by Ed Gorman, the Division of Wildlife’s small-game chief. Gorman based his appraisal purely on anecdotal evidence; the agency’s small game survey won’t begin until mid-March.
That lag in participation could be blamed on an early season weather condition that delayed the grain harvest. Particularly in corn country, wily pheasants holed up in standing crops off limits to hunters. Since most hunting activity is concentrated in those first few weeks, a downturn in corn-dominated zones could be expected.
“We had good numbers of pheasants, particularly in the public access areas early on, before the birds got moved around as the season progressed,” Gorman said. “Our forecasts were pretty much on the mark for the areas of highest density: Yuma, Phillips, Kit Carson and Sedgwick counties and some parts of Logan.”
Gorman expressed surprise at populations in Sedgwick , particularly the eastern tier, where dense cover delivered a mixed blessing of bountiful birds and difficult hunting. As anticipated, the hunt went poorly in the southeast, where total drought conditions during the first half of 2008 ruined nesting prospects.
Given the solid numbers in the northeast and mild winter weather, Gorman holds high hopes for the coming season.
“We’re going to take a good number of breeding birds into spring. We’re looking for that early spring precipitation. Usually, that’s what makes you or breaks you.”
