Pheasant Shortage

[Brooke]

Is anyone else having trouble finding birds in the black river WMA or any other ones? I’ve gone out each stock day so far and put in the work but only seen 5 birds and maybe 10-15 have gotten taken. The numbers fish and game put out don’t seem to be adding up. A lot of the guys keep saying they can’t find birds either and have been going home empty handed like myself.

[deadonshot2]

I had a friend who saw 10-12 birds together at entrance of wma the other day. I saw a hen yesterday which made its way pretty far from the stocked area.  Some years when I hunted pheasant I always seemed to be away from all the action and other years every bird in the wma tried to fly by me. Just enjoy your time in the field because that is what it is really about. 

[gillripper]

I saw more ticks than birds. 

[Bone collector 85]

My party i hunt with has got a limit everytime we have gone so far this year with no dogs too.... this year im seeing more birds than in years past

[MPSR]

Lots of birds. The yotes and fox are getting them at night. I saw then stock 11 birds in one spot. Each one dropped at edge of a field. In the morning only 3 birds found and my dogs a machine. Went  to another field and found birds everywhere turned inside out. State should stock morning of like PA. Mortality rate is 50% by predation within 1-2 days. They make it past that they get smart. I’ve killed birds at Flatbrook in Late February 

[Brooke]

15 hours ago, gillripper said:

I saw more ticks than birds. 

Likewise- I see feathers everywhere but no birds in sight. Maybe 10 shots per day. 

[Mixbaghunter]

It's been the same for years. But some guys are saying they see birds. I hunt black river on Dover Chester  rd . Been shit for years. Birds are in thick stuff need a good dog to find them

[Bonefreak]

Look in the trees!!  These birds are not the Rockport Rockets!!  They are purchased I think from Pennsy n like to lazily roost in trees!!  Lol

[OldPiney Woods]

I think the only guys that are doing well are the ones hunting at starting time on stocking days and getting the large groups of birds dropped off in a few spots. They don’t seem to be spreading out the birds like they use to do.

[10deer]

hunting the pequest less birds than normal hunting with good dogs also thursday the lots of guys only a few birds taken and the  f&G SAID THEY HAVE EXRTA BIRDS TO STOCK

[Mixbaghunter]

The only way it will get better if we stop buying stamps . I wasn't going to this year but buddy got a puppy  I am helping train.  

[OldPiney Woods]

Not buying stamps will only cause the State to eliminate the whole stocking program. The liberals and Murphy would love for an excuse to do away with another hunting program.

[Merkel]

I think the birds are there but holding tight. I was right over one the other day and it didn’t move. Eventually ran through the thick stuff.  I think folks with good dogs are doing ok.

[Marine 1]

I’m sure F&G would love to end the pheasant program.. they loose money every year.. even when they were raising them they lost money.. 

again.. it’s called hunting.. not killing..try and enjoy the day out..

[OldMenRule]

It's that damn supply chain..