Michigan's Wild Ringnecks
By Mark Sak
For many of us in Michigan, October 20th has been a very special day for many years. It has a lot to do with tradition and the combination of brilliant fall leaves and wild Ringneck Pheasants. The dogs know it is a special day as well and it seems to be a little tougher to control them from running out to begin their instinctive ritual of pinning down a cocky ringneck. My twelve year old black Lab understands exactly what's about to take place as soon as the brush pants are taken out of the closet.
Ringneck Pheasant numbers in Michigan are not what they used to be. I remember flushing as many as 10-20 birds in one spot in the mid 70's. Old timers will tell you they remember flushing hundreds of birds per day in the 1940's. Seeing a couple of birds per day today makes for a pretty good day. Most folks don't even have the opportunity to access more than ten acres to hunt due to the current housing sprawl.
Change continues to affect Pheasant populations and it's happening again in Michigan. Even the biggest farmers are selling land to developers and houses are popping up everywhere. Many old parcels that used to provide excellent cover are now permanently changed forever with a subdivision of homes. The numbers of wild birds actually increase the year the land is no longer farmed. Foxtail and Ragweed grow fast and provide some cover. We actually put up 15-20 birds in fields like this on the opener last year. Unfortunately, as soon as these fields are developed and lawns are planted, the Pheasant population will again plummet.
What little cover is left does not always have the ability to hold birds and provide what they need to survive. I have a field next to my house that looks like a great place for birds to thrive. Various grasses and goldenrod thrive in this plot. The only thing they seem to enhance although, are my allergies. Walking through this field one can quickly see it provides no cover or food. Walk through, (or try to walk through) a plot of switch grass, and the difference can be seen immediately.
As the president of the Lapeer County Chapter of Pheasants Forever and an active member of this chapter for the last several years, I have personally witnessed the rewards of the habitat program. I have planted cover year after year. Each year it seems to bring in more species of birds and animals. Our first bird of the year last year came from the edge of Pheasant Forever habitat program sorghum planted last May.
Hunting wild Ringnecks has changed as much as the habitat in recent years. I hunted over several pointing dogs last year and never did see one point. These birds have developed the ability to slip away often with out notice. Sometimes they never flush. The dog often gets birdy but never locks because the bird is long gone. It becomes necessary to implement blockers on fencerows or dead furrows, (where the food plot rows change direction at the end of the field). I don't like allowing a wild Ringneck to even get in a fencerow because it is very difficult to get them out of there as well. It is absolutely necessary to be completely silent while walking through the field. No collar beepers, no whistles and no yelling at the dogs. Do this and forget about seeing any birds. I hunt very quickly and very quietly. My lab is very acclimated to my style and it gives her the opportunity to flush one close for the shot. It is always interesting to watch a dog that has hunted a great deal on a game farm then get bewildered by a wild Ringneck. The tail goes crazy, the nose gets busier, and the dog and owner stay in that spot for twenty minutes walking in circles. My immediate response is usually to move as quickly and as safely as I can to the nearest thick cover or fencerow.
There are many good pockets of wild Ringnecks left in Michigan. It does take some work and diplomacy to access these areas. A great way is to approach the landowner early and bring them some fresh fish fillets. (This also provides a great excuse to go fishing). Let them know the dates you will be hunting and how many will be in your party. Offer them part of your harvest. Ask where you should park your vehicle. Don't leave any indication you have been there.
State game areas are working with local Pheasant Forever Chapters to increase habitat for wild Ringnecks. Call these game area offices to find out where upland cover has been planted. There will be some birds in this cover. To find out more about Pheasants Forever, check out the national website at www.pheasantsforever.org. If you're a serious pheasant hunter join your local chapter, volunteer your time and chances are, someone will invite you to their farm to hunt some of Michigan's wild Ringneck Pheasants!
