pheasant survival rate if bought and let into wild

[birdybritt529]

my family has 80 acres and another 80 next to it that is all tall grasses and the owner has not been there in years. i need to buy some birds and work with my dog. its cheaper than a game farm to release them on my own property. just wondering if over time instead of spending thousands to join a game farm if i let these birds loose on my property what the survival rate might be or if it would help me locally? thanks hope this makes sense.

[1pheas4]

Survival rates are low. Even lower with pen birds that have been breed in captivity for many generations. The closer to a "wild" line of birds the greater the chance of survival.

I've heard a handful of success stories with Afghan Whitewings (Bianchii), and Manchurian pheasants reproducing in the wild. I've also seen signs/characteristics of these birds in wild birds throughout SD. Obviously this is prof their lines are surviving and reproducing in the wild.

With all that said, you need habitat. Not just a large field or two. You also need connecting habitats. Are there other fields within the area? Do they have sources of food and water, winter cover, nesting cover, etc. If so, there should be a wild bird population already established.

If you're main objective is to work the dogs and hunt pen birds then I would do it. If they take to the wild it's a bonus.

[jmac]

Originally Posted by 1pheas4

Survival rates are low. Even lower with pen birds that have been breed in captivity for many generations. The closer to a "wild" line of birds the greater the chance of survival.

I've heard a handful of success stories with Afghan Whitewings (Bianchii), and Manchurian pheasants reproducing in the wild. I've also seen signs/characteristics of these birds in wild birds throughout SD. Obviously this is prof their lines are surviving and reproducing in the wild.

With all that said, you need habitat. Not just a large field or two. You also need connecting habitats. Are there other fields within the area? Do they have sources of food and water, winter cover, nesting cover, etc. If so, there should be a wild bird population already established.

If you're main objective is to work the dogs and hunt pen birds then I would do it. If they take to the wild it's a bonus.

This is correct. 1pheas4 is right and they survival rate will be low. It all depends on cover, food ,habit, and much more. But give it a try, what can it hurt. You might get lucky, pheasants in the us are all introduced. No Sarcasm pointed your way.

[Roosters]

Buy adults if you want to hunt them this year.

Look into a Surrogator if you want to add to your wild population

[Roosters]

Buy adults if you want to hunt them this year.

Look into a Surrogator if you want to add to your wild population

[mnmthunting]

Depends, If your in an area where wild pheasants can't make it then there is little chance for pen raised birds.
If you have good grass, plenty of good brushy winter and storm cover. Wet cattail areas are important to. Winter food supply is a must, if you don't have it pheasants will move off until they find it. Pheasants especially pen raised don't know of a home range so they will tend to go to the best habitat/food available.

Surprised nobody mentions predation
If the habitat is in place, pheasants can't make it. So simple IT'S Predation!

[captaincoot]

Everyone says how bad pen raised survivial rates are. Whats the survivial rates of wild ones? Can't be much higher.