Movements and Cover Preferences of Pheasants in South Dakota

Abstract

Movement trends and cover preferences of 13 ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hens, 8 of which produced broods, were studied by radiotelemetry from June to October in 1969 and 1970. The average minimum home-range size was 90 acres (sD ? 48), the length of major axis of home ranges was 0.71 ? 0.28 mile, and the average minimum activity radius was 0.16 ? 0.09 mile. Home ranges were smallest during the peak of hatch (15-30 June) and in October, and largest during the sown small-grain harvest (16-31 August). Alfalfa was the most extensively used cover type both day and night, and was preferred in all months of study. Sown small-grain fields, corn fields, and shelter belts were intermittently preferred for nesting or roosting. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 37(4):454-461 Cover types used by pheasant broods have been studied by means of roadside and random field observations (Kozicky and Hendrickson 1951, Hammer 1965, Linder and Agee 1965). Since the development of radiotracking systems (LeMunyan et al. 1959, Marshall 1960, Cochran and Lord 1963) and radiotelemetry procedures (Marshall and Kupa 1963), biologists have been able to collect detailed data on activities and seasonal movements of individual pheasants (Kuck et al. 1970, Carter 1971). Because little is known about cover preferences and movements of hens and broods after nesting, this study was aimed at determining (1) movement patterns of hens and their broods on agricultural land and (2) preferences for various habitat components at different periods following nesting. The South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Brookings, provided funds for this project (S-521). V. C. Ellerbruch developed the radio transmitters and the receiving system, W. L. Tucker guided the statistical analysis, D. P. Oschner wrote the computer plotter program, and J. M. Gates gave valuable advice during the study.