It happens every year around this time. We finally have enough snow to cover the ground and folks start to think automatically that wildlife is on the verge of starving to death. The calls start coming in as to where they can find some corn to feed this destitute wildlife.
It is true in years with heavy snow cover and below zero temperatures for extended periods that wildlife will start to show signs of distress. That is not the case this winter.
Much of the state has had very little snow cover until about two weeks ago, and since that time much of that snow has melted or gone away.
In the 12 counties of southwest Minnesota most of the fields are about 50 percent clear of snow cover. These counties represent the majority of the traditional pheasant range in the state. Pheasants do exist in other counites not included in the 12 but in smaller population numbers.
Natural resource research has been well-documented over the past 50 years and shows conclusively that pheasants rarely ever starve to death. Most folks think thick snow prevents the birds from finding food.
Pheasant losses can occur from deep snow, but starvation is not the primary cause of this. When winters of deep snow do occur and start early in the winter season, lingering well into April, a small percentage of wildlife suffers some mortality.
The primary reason wildlife suffers from extended cold winters with deep snow is predation. When there is little snow, birds and other wildlife can spread out across the landscape and survive in areas considered marginal cover. Population densities are lower, and wildlife is less congregated.
When deep snow makes marginal cover uninhabitable, wildlife seeks better cover. When wildlife congregates, predators like raptors, foxes and to a smaller extent coyotes will also move to those areas as the pickings are much easier to find and easier to capitalize on.
Pheasant feeding, as I see most often, is done very poorly. People will pour corn on the side of the road, and many birds get killed by traffic. Others will feed far from the cover birds need to survive cold temperatures. This makes them fly longer distances and consume more energy to reach the free meal. It also requires them to be exposed and out of the cover for longer periods of time.
Feeding wildlife as explained by a recent report I read from the Nebraska Game and Fish Department does not reach a large enough percentage of the population to make any noticeable difference in game populations the following fall after anther reproductive cycle.
Feeding can carry over small numbers of birds in very limited areas if done right. The report I mentioned earlier has been published at least 100 different times over the 50 years. Feeding and its limited effects have been well-documented across North America.
Feeding elk in the Rocky Mountains to help keep herd numbers higher than the land can support them might be a different story.
If those who think wildlife feeding is really important took all of those energies and money spent and redirected them to better and more abundant quality wildlife habitats, populations of fish and game would be better off in the long term.
Now with all that said, there are those who will expend lots of time and energy to feed wildlife anyway. If you are one of those people, then at least feed wildlife in ways that do more good than harm.
First of all, once you start feeding, you need to keep feeding. Once pheasants or other wildlife get used to your offering, they will become dependent on that offering. They will not be searching for other food sources and will spend all their time scratching in the last spot you dropped corn.
Second, feed close to quality wildlife habitat. This means you’ll need snow shoes or other transportation to get away from the road and close to adequate thermal winter cover. This is hard work if you have to go on foot.
Deer feeding is illegal in many parts of the state, so be sure you are not breaking any laws, or your good intentions might end with getting a ticket.
This winter has been very mild so far. Wildlife in general is doing quite well. Spend your money on a ticket to a conservation banquet and support more and better habitat to make wildlife feeding an experience that is no longer needed or beneficial.
I have harvested roosters in the late season when I thought there was three feet of snow over all the food sources, and yet when I cleaned those birds, their crops were full of corn.
I don’t have any idea where they found it, but pheasants haven’t existed in North America since the late 1800s without being tenacious survivors.
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.