Pheasants In Illinois Research Articles

Disturbance and the Survival of Female Ring-Necked Pheasants in Illinois

There is little knowledge of how disturbances affect the behavior and survival of pheasants in agricultural landscapes of the Midwest. Thus, we studied the survival of 81 female ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Ford County, eastcentral Illinois, from 1989-94. Among the most intensively cropped regions of North America, the study area averaged 93% row crops (corn and soybeans, in equal proportion). We monitored the numbers of extended movements by hens associated with farm operations, hunting, weather, and other causes. The average number of extended movements observed per bird (3.5 ± 0.4) was not different for adults and juveniles. Using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimator of survival, the longevity of hens with more than the median number of extended movements was greater (330 ± 37 days) than hens with less than the median number of extended movements (115 ± 15 days). Hens exhibiting disturbance-avoidance behavior associated with extended movements coped relatively well with hazards, except during nesting. Our findings underscore the importance of movement as a survival mechanism in a hazardous landscape with marginally suitable habitat.

A Biochemical Genetic Evaluation of Ring-Necked Pheasants

Phenotypes of 41 enzyme loci were revealed by vertical starch gel electrophoresis for 11 groups of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus): 8 groups from the established range in Illinois, 1 from traditional Illinois game-farm stock, I from a first filial (F,) cross of game farm x wild pheasants, and 1 from wild pheasants from southern Iowa (n = 9-20 birds/group). Allele frequencies at each locus, the mean number of alleles at each locus, the mean number of polymorphic loci, and indices of heterozygosity were calculated for each group. Genetic differences along a north-south cline for wild pheasants in Illinois were detected from principal coordinates analysis. Genetic analysis of North American pheasants is important for developing guidelines for preventing the loss of genetic variability in confined stocks, identifying characteristics that relate to fitness in the wild, and identifying where genetic mixing of stocks is appropriate. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 52(1):108-112 North American ring-necked pheasants exemplify the challenges of integrating guidelines for genetic conservation of wild vertebrates (Schonelwald-Cox et al. 1983) with management strategies for exotic species. Genetic management of North American pheasants must account for the facts that: (1) the ancestry of introduced pheasant stocks is poorly documented, (2) pheasants have persisted in North America for a relatively short time (<100 generations) in dynamic environments, and (3) the founding populations have been subjected to extensive mixing of genotypes (Warner and Philipp 1987). Genetic information for ring-necked pheasants has not been available because analytical tools for delineating potential differences in genotypes have not been sufficient. The use of plumage or other traits to describe genetic variability has not been adequate (Trautman 1982). Even in extensively studied groups such as fish, phenotypic expressions are too variable for meristic and morphometric data to be reliable (Ihssen et al. 1981). The initial electrophoretic studies of pheasants considered polymorphic protein systems in eggs and sera (Brandt et al. 1952, Sandnes 1954, Baker et al. 1966). Vohs (1966) found that some blood group factors were different for pheasants in southern, central, and northern Iowa. Baker et al. (1966) identified an east-west gradient in h frequency of fast-binding forms of blood protein from pheasants sampled in Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas. Thus, the early genetic analyses indicated differences in pheasant genotypes over broad regions of North America. However, these electrophoretic procedures did not appear adequate for recognizing subpopulations or strains-a level of analytical resolution that would be useful for genetic management of the species. We applied more recently developed starch gel elec rophoretic procedures to assess biochemical genetic variability of captive and wild pheasants in Illinois and Iowa. Our objective was to develop analytical techniques suitable for detecting regional differences in genotypes of pheasants. Our ultimate goal is to foster genetic management of the species, including identification of potentially distinct wild genotypes that should be protected from introductions of other pheasant stock. This work was supported by Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-66-R, the Illinois Natural History Survey, The Illinois Department of Conservation (IDOC), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The IDOC and USFWS have no responsibility for the form and content of this report, or for the conclusions reached. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wild pheasants were collected by hunters and biologists, primarily in fall-winter 1982, from IPresent address: Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 College Avenue, Columbia, MO 65201.

Experimental Lead Poisoning in Willow Ptarmigan

DALKE, P. L. 1935. Food of young pheasants in Michigan. Am. Game 24:36, 43-46. FEHRENBACHER, J. B., G. O. WALKER, AND H. L. WASCHER. 1967. Soils of Illinois. Ill. Agric. Exp. Stn., Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric. Bull. 725. 47pp. GLASS, G. V., AND J. C. STANLEY. 1970. Statistical methods in education and psychology. PrenticeHall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 596pp. HILL, H. 1976. Feeding habits of the ring-necked pheasant chick, Phasianus colchicus, and the evaluation of available foods. Ph.D. Thesis, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing. 70pp. JOSELYN, G. B., J. E. WARNOCK, AND S. L. ETTER. 1968. Manipulation of roadside cover for nesting pheasants-a preliminary report. J. Wildl. Manage. 32:217-233. LABISKY, R. F. 1968. Ecology of pheasant populations in Illinois. Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. Wisconsin, Madison. 511pp. LOUGHREY, A. G., AND R. H. STINSON. 1955. Feeding habits of juvenile ring-necked pheasants on Pelee Island, Ontario. Can. Field-Nat. 69:59-65. MESSICK, J. P., E. G. BIZEAU, W. W. BENSON, AND W. H. MULLINS. 1974. Aerial pesticide applications and ring-necked pheasants. J. Wildl. Manage. 38:679-685. ROBERTSON, W. B., JR. 1958. Investigations of ringnecked pheasants in Illinois. Ill. Dep. Conserv. Tech. Bull. 1. 137pp. WARNER, R. E. 1975. Cover utilization by pheasant broods in east-central Illinois, 1972-1973. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. 39pp. . 1979. Use of cover by pheasant broods in east-central Illinois. J. Wildl. Manage. 43:334346.

Reproduction and Survival of Radio-Marked Hen Ring-Necked Pheasants in Illinois

Reproduction and Survival of Radio-Marked Hen Ring-Necked Pheasants in Illinois

Woody Habitat and Severe Winter Mortality of Ring-Necked Pheasants in Central Illinois

Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) populations declined 44-82%, primarily from exposure to precipitation and severe wind chill, in the severe winters of 1976-77 and 1977-78 on 5 study areas in east central Illinois. Pheasant abundance, estimated by cock-call counts, and woody vegetation were measured on 45 1,036-ha subunits during 1976-78. Multiple regression analyses indicated no relationship between pheasant abundance on the 45 subunits before or after severe winter weather, and the abundance, growth forms, or arrangement on the landscape of woody vegetation. Declines in cock calls, 1976-78, were a mathematical function of pheasant densities prior to severe winter weather (r = 0.94, P < 0.001). J. WILDL. MANAGE. 46(4):923-932 Currently, the intensively tilled Mollisols of central Illinois (Fehrenbacher et al. 1967:40) afford little residual cover to protect ring-necked pheasants from winter elements. Robertson (1958:19), however, noted that the occurrence or abundance of pheasant populations in the east central counties was not related to the presence of woody or herbaceous vegetation in winter. Labisky et al. (1964:12) also noted that direct losses of pheasants in Illinois to winter weather were rare. Robertson (1958:18-19) attributed the low winter mortality of pheasants in Illinois, compared to most Plains states, to abundant scattered waste grain and mild winters with infrequent blizzards. In 1963 and 1964, however, dead pheasants were observed following winter storms near Sibley, Illinois. Following a severe winter storm in Illinois in January 1977, Warner and David (1978) found 27 frozen pheasants along 64.4 km on 1 study area, 5.6% of the known prestorm population. Subsequent census data indicated a storm-related decline of 54-67% (Warner and David 1978:117). These authors necropsied 49 of the birds found frozen and reported that 40 (82%) had food (principally corn and soybeans) in their crops and 39 (80%) had normal reserves of body fat. These findings were consistent with the observations by Robertson (1958) and Kenyon (1978) that scattered waste grain has been generally available to wintering pheasant populations in the Midwest. The objectives of our study were to document the magnitude of storm-related declines of pheasant populations on 5 study areas in central Illinois in January 1977 and winter 1977-78, and evaluate the importance of woody vegetation to the survival of pheasants before and after those severe winters. We acknowledge J. C. Cole and W. H. Wood, Illinois Department of Conservat on (IDOC), for assistance with censusing. L. S. Gerstein, Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), assisted with habitat analyses and data tabulation. J. H. Moak and J. A. Ellis (IDOC) read the manuscript. S. L. Etter, W. R. Edwards, and G. C. Sanderson (INHS) provided technical and editorial assistance and E. Steger (INHS) edited the manuscript. The research was funded by Illinois Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Projects W-66-R and W-85-D, the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Illinois Department of Conservation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife S rvice, cooperating. J. Wildl. Manage. 46(4):1982 923 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.28 on Wed, 31 Aug 2016 04:39:50 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 924 WOODY HABITAT AND WINTER MORTALITY OF PHEASANTS -Warner and David

Chemical Elements and the Distribution of Pheasants in Illinois

Chemical Elements and the Distribution of Pheasants in Illinois

Dynamics of Condition Parameters and Organ Measurements in Pheasants

Environmental factors are recognized as the primary forces dictating the distribution, abundance, and physical condition of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and all other game species. These forces, whether beneficial or detrimental, manifest themselves within the physiological mechanisms carrying on the life processes of individuals constituting animal populations. Thus, it might be said that the physiological status of an animal is the expression of all of the environmental factors acting on the animal. This study elucidates changes in selected physiological parameters of wild pheasants in Illinois in relation to stresses that occur during the life cycle of this game bird.

Relationships between Inorganic Ions and the Distribution of Pheasants in Illinois

Relationships between Inorganic Ions and the Distribution of Pheasants in Illinois

The Influence of Calcium on the Distribution of Pheasants in Illinois

The role of deficient calcium as a factor limiting the distribution of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Illinois was investigated by comparing the availability of calcium and its subsequent inges- tion by wild pheasants on an area (Neoga) of old glacial till originating from the Illinoian glacial age and on an area (Sibley) of more recent till originating from the Wisconsin glacial age. The amount of calcitic grit, and the amount of calcium contained in the calcitic grit, collected from roads and agri- cultural fields on both areas were similar, as were the amounts of calcium found in the soils from the two areas. The amounts of calcium found in the grit from gizzards of hens and young from both areas were very similar. The number and hatchability of eggs per incubated clutch, the production of chicks per hen, and the ash content of femora and of entire carcasses of hens during the nesting season were similar among pheasants at both Neoga and Sibley. Wild pheasants, particularly hens and young, seemingly possess the ability to select (1) calcareous grit from noncalcareous grit, (2) calcitic grit from dolomitic grit, and (3) calcitic grit with a high calcium content from that with a low calcium content; this habit of selective calcium ingestion may allow pheasants to prosper on areas where cal- careous grit is found only in relatively small quantities. The availability of calcium and its subsequent ingestion by pheasants at Neoga, an area of old glacial till, are apparently adequate for the establishment of self-maintaining pheasant populations.

Value of Federal Feed Grain Program to Production of Pheasants in Illinois

Value of Federal Feed Grain Program to Production of Pheasants in Illinois

Investigations of Ring-Necked Pheasants in Illinois.William B. Robertson

Previous articleNext article No AccessNew Biological BooksInvestigations of Ring-Necked Pheasants in Illinois. William B. Robertson Henri C. SeibertHenri C. Seibert Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 34, Number 3Sep., 1959 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/402780 PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Investigations of Ring-necked Pheasants in Illinois, by William B. Robertson, Jr. [Review

Investigations of Ring-necked Pheasants in Illinois, by William B. Robertson, Jr. [Review