Ring-Necked Pheasant and Northern Bobwhite Quail
Status in Michigan, 2001
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Report No. 3353, September 2001
Valerie R. Tuovila, Steven B. Chadwick, and C. Alan Stewart
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitors ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus) distribution and abundance using spring crowing surveys, summer brood surveys and
harvest surveys. Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) distribution and relative abundance is
monitored using whistling surveys and hunter harvest and effort surveys. The whistling survey is the
primary index used by the DNR to monitor the status of quail in Michigan. This report summarizes the
results of these surveys and discusses the upcoming hunting season.
METHODS
Pheasant Crowing Survey
The pheasant crowing survey is conducted from May 1-20 along 69 routes distributed across
pheasant range. The designated survey routes are composed of 12 roadside listening stops.
Surveys begin 40 minutes before sunrise and at each stop, observers record the number of pheasant
crows heard during 2 minutes. The survey data is summarized as the number of pheasant crows
heard per stop. The data are used as an index of the statewide population trends.
Pheasant Mail Carrier Brood Survey
The pheasant brood survey is conducted for a 2-week period from late July through early August by
rural mail carriers. Voluntary mail carriers in pheasant range record the number of pheasant broods,
chicks, and lone hens observed each day along their mail delivery routes during the survey period.
An index of pheasant brood abundance is calculated as the number of broods observed per ten
Equal Rights for Natural Resources Users
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) provides equal opportunities for employment and access to Michigan’s natural resources. Both State and Federal laws
prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, sex, height, weight or marital status under the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended, 1976
MI P. A. 453 and 1976 MI P. A. 220, Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you believe that you have been discriminated
against in any program, activity, or facility, please write the MDNR, OFFICE OF LEGAL SERVICES, PO BOX 30028, LANSING, MI 48909-7528, or the MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT
OF CIVIL RIGHTS, STATE OF MICHIGAN PLAZA BUILDING, 1200 6TH STREET, DETROIT, MI 48226, or the OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS, U.S. FISH AND
WILDLIFE SERVICE, 4040 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE, ARLINGTON, VA 22203.
For information or assistance on this publication, contact the MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, WILDLIFE, PO BOX 30444, LANSING, MI 48909-7944
(www.michigandnr.com).
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. TTY: Michigan Relay Center 1-800-649-3777.
Printed by Authority of: P.A. 451 of 1994
Total Number of Copies Printed: ...........600
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources
A contribution of Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, Michigan Project W-127-R.
IC 2578 (09/27/2001)
carrier-days (one mail carrier observing one day = one carrier-day). In Michigan, the brood index is a
good indicator of fall pheasant abundance and harvest (Luukkonen 1998a). However, harvest
predictions based on rural mail carrier surveys must be interpreted cautiously when pheasants are at
low abundance, because low brood indices contribute to relatively high variances in harvest estimates
compared to estimates during years when brood indices are intermediate.
Pheasant Hunter Cooperator and Mail Surveys
Cooperator surveys are based on a sample of volunteer hunters who record numbers of hours hunted
and pheasant flushed each day. They also record the number of quail flushed. Data obtained from
cooperating hunters is summarized as the number of pheasant and quail flushed per hour of hunting.
Although final estimates of hunting effort and harvest come from a mail survey of randomly selected
hunters, flush rate surveys from pheasant cooperators provide an early indication of harvest. Hunters
may participate in this cooperator survey by contacting the Lansing Wildlife Division office.
Quail Whistling Survey
The quail whistling survey is conducted on established routes in the southern Lower Peninsula of
Michigan. Routes are run once a year on calm mornings (winds < 12 mph) during June 1-15. This
period includes the seasonal peak in whistling call activity among male bobwhite quail. Surveys begin
at sunrise and observers make 3-minute stops to count the number of individual quail whistling at
each of the 20 stops along routes.
RESULTS
Pheasant Crowing Survey
Crowing surveys were completed along 58 routes in 2001. Survey personnel heard an average of 2.4
pheasant crows per stop. Surveys were completed along 52 of the same routes as in 2000. Crowing
counts were higher on 22 of the 52 comparable routes, while 28 decreased and 2 stayed the same.
Observers heard an average of 2.5 crows/stop on comparable routes, which was not statistically
different (paired t-test) from 2.5 crows/stop heard in 2000 (P>0.1). The overall crowing index this
spring was the fourth lowest recorded since the inception of the survey, but it is up from the previous 3
years (Fig. 1).
Pheasant Mail Carrier Brood Survey
A total of 953 mail carriers returned useable survey forms. Mail carriers observed 0.39 broods per ten
carrier-days this summer compared to 0.52 broods per ten carrier-days during 2000 (Fig. 1). Brood
size was 3.7 chicks per brood this summer, which is lower than the 4.6 chicks per brood observed
during the 2000 survey.
Pheasant Hunter Cooperator and Mail Surveys
Records were available from 90 cooperators, who combined to hunt over 1,600 hours in 2000.
Cooperators flushed 0.93 roosters per hour and 1.30 hens per hour while hunting. These flush rates
are similar to those reported in 1999. Some of the highest pheasant flush rates from 2000 were
reported in Eaton, Lenawee, Livingston, and St. Joseph counties (Appendix A). In 2000, pheasant
hunters harvested an estimated 131,000 pheasant during approximately 282,000 days (DNR,
unpublished data).
Cooperators reported flushing 0.35 quail per hour while pheasant hunting in 2000. This is lower than
the 1999 flush rate of 0.54 quail per hour. Some of the highest quail flush rates were reported in
Lenawee, Huron, and Tuscola counties (Appendix C). Preliminary estimates of hunter harvest
indicate that about 5,000 birds were taken across the state in 2000. This is down from the estimated
6,600 quail harvested in 1999. Hunter effort has also declined. Preliminary results indicated that
hunters spent approximately 23,000 days pursuing quail in 1999, but only 9,800 days in 2000 (DNR,
unpublished data).
Quail Whistling Survey
A total of 34 quail whistling surveys were completed in 2001. The overall mean index was 2.2 quail
heard per route. In 2000 the overall mean index was 7.9 quail heard per route. Comparison of 28
similar routes in 2000 and 2001 revealed significant statistical declines (P<0.05). For routes
completed in both 2000 and 2001, 21 routes decreased, 6 routes increased, and 1 did not change.
The highest number of quail heard per route in 2001 was 19, compared to 42 in 2000.
Quail are usually most abundant in 22 counties in southern Michigan (core quail range). Quail counts
ranged from 0 to 19 per route in 22 core counties in 2001 (Table 1). A mean of 2.9 quail was heard
per route compared to 9.8 in 2000. The highest counts have been in St. Clair county every year since
1990.
DISCUSSION
The decline of pheasant and quail populations in Michigan is well documented (Fig. 1, 2). In addition
to DNR surveys, ring-necked pheasants, quail, and other grassland species have also declined on
Michigan Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes and Audubon Christmas Bird Counts during the period
1966-1996 (Sauer et al. 1995,1997). Data from DNR breeding indices and BBS routes (Sauer et al.
1997) over the past 10 years indicate Michigan pheasants as relatively stable, however at a much
reduced abundance from historic highs in population.
Changes in agricultural practices, land use changes, and weather factors may have all contributed to
the pheasant decline. Areas such as southeast Michigan, which were once the best pheasant habitat,
have experienced extensive human development and loss of grasslands. Additionally, pheasant
abundance appears to decline as the amount of tree cover exceeds about 10% of the landscape
(Luukonen 1988b). The amount of forest cover in southern Michigan increased by about 40,000 acres
per year from 1980 to 1993, therefore an increase in forest cover appeared to have been a major
contributing factor in the decline of pheasants (Luukonen 1988b).
Belyea (1991) noted that state and federal land management programs have not reversed the
downward trend of pheasant numbers. However, new private land initiatives implemented by the
DNR, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and private conservation organizations, may prove
beneficial to landowners wishing to improve habitat conditions for pheasants (Sargent and Carter
1999). However, because pheasant populations seem to respond to habitats on a broad, landscape
scale, habitat improvements made on a few isolated sites will likely be ineffective in increasing
pheasant abundance (Luukkonen 1998b). This is particularly true where forest cover is a significant
component of the landscape.
Quail are currently at relatively low population levels based on whistling surveys conducted by the
DNR since 1958. The average number of quail heard on routes declined markedly since the early
1970s (Fig. 2). Severe winter weather, changes in land-use and farming practices, and increased use
of biocides are all cited as possible factors that have contributed to the long-term decline of Michigan
quail (Gormley and Luukkonen 1998).
Most biologists believe that large-scale habitat changes have contributed primarily to the decline of
quail in Michigan. Quail are unlikely to recover to historic highs of the mid-1950s, however, they will
benefit from habitat improvement projects. Many private landowners wish to improve their land to
benefit quail, pheasant and other species of wildlife. Most habitat improvement must occur on private
land because 97% of quail range in Michigan is privately owned.
Because of the importance of managing habitat and natural resources on private lands, a program
has been established to provide landowners with technical assistance in the development of private
land habitats. The Cooperative Resource Management Initiative (CRMI) program is a cooperative
program between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture and
local county Conservation Districts that has the potential to improve pheasant, quail, and other wildlife
habitat on private lands. Through this program resource professionals will provide technical
information as well as information on federal and state financial assistance programs. The two goals
for this program are landowner assistance and education. There are 31 local resource professionals
for Michigan’s 83 counties (1 position for every 3 counties). The resource professional for specific
counties can be contacted through local county Conservation Districts. Landowner contact
information may be found at www.michigandnr.com.
2001 Hunting Season Forecast
Pheasant
A slightly reduced pheasant harvest for 2001 is anticipated. The crowing survey index remained
similar to 2000, but the summer brood survey index declined from last year’s values. Michigan
hunters may take an estimated 130,000 pheasants. Hunter surveys indicate that approximately
80,000 hunters will spend about 282,000 days afield (DNR, unpublished data).
While pheasant numbers are far from the historical high levels of the 1950s and 1960s, they still are
widely distributed in Southern Lower Michigan and in some areas of the Upper Peninsula (Belyea
1991). Some counties in the central and thumb regions still report good pheasant numbers
(Appendices A and B).
Pheasant season is open from October 10-31 in Zone 1, October 20-14 in Zones 2 and 3, and
December 1-15 in Zone 3. Information on zone boundaries may be found at www.michigandnr.com.
Only males may be harvested and the bag limit is 2 per day, 4 in possession. The season limit is 8
pheasants.
Quail
Although patchy in distribution and low in number, some Michigan counties in the thumb region and
central lower Michigan still have good quail numbers based on survey information from 1990-2001
(Appendices C and D).
The quail season begins on October 20, 2001 in Michigan. This is the same date as pheasant begins
in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. This will allow hunters to harvest quail that may be flushed while
hunting pheasant.
Quail season is open from October 20-November 11. Based on the regional abundance of quail, all
counties specified in the DNR Wildlife Conservation Order (Table 2) are open to quail hunting in 2001.
The bag limit is 5 per day, 10 in possession.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank the DNR personnel and volunteers who conducted crowing and whistling surveys and the
rural mail carriers who participated on the brood survey. We thank the pheasant cooperators for
submitting their hunting records. Marci Nellist, Theresa Riebow, and Becky Geelhood assisted with
data entry. Brian Frawley, David Luukonen, Pete Squibb, and Scott Whitcomb reviewed an earlier
version of this report.
LITERATURE CITED
Belyea, G. 1991. Ring-necked pheasant. Pages 180-181 in R. Brewer, G.A. McPeek, R.J. Adams,
Jr., eds. The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Michigan. Michigan State University Press, East Lansing,
Michigan 48823-5202.
Gormley, J. R., and D. R. Luukkonen. 1998. Northern bobwhite quail population status in Michigan,
1998. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division Report 3283.
Luukkonen, D.R. 1998a. Pheasant population status in Michigan, 1998. Michigan Dept. of Nat.
Resour., Wildlife Division Report 3284.
Luukkonen, D.R. 1998b. Abundance, distribution, and winter survival of pheasants in Southern
Michigan. Ph.D. Thesis, Michigan State University.
Sargent, M.S. and K.S. Carter. 1999. Managing Michigan's Wildlife: a landowner's guide. Michigan
United Conservation Clubs, Lansing, Michigan.
Sauer, J.R., B.G. Peterjohn, S. Schwartz and J.E. Hines. 1995. The Grassland Bird Home Page.
Version 95.0. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.
Sauer, J.R., J.E. Hines, G.Gough, I. Thomas and B.G. Peterjohn. 1997. The North American Breeding
Bird Survey Results and Analysis. Version 96.4. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.
16
Broods/ 10 Carrier-days
14
Pheasant Crows/ Stop
Population Index
12
10
8
6
4
2
2000
1995
1990
1985
1980
1975
1970
1965
1960
1955
0
Year
50
40
30
20
10
Year
Figure 2. Mean bobwhite quail whistling index in Michigan, 1958-2001.
2001
1999
1997
1995
1993
1991
1989
1987
1985
1983
1981
1979
1977
1975
1973
1971
1969
1967
1965
1963
1961
1959
1957
0
1955
Mean Number of Quail Heard/Route
Figure 1. Pheasant brood and crowing indices in Michigan, 1955-2001.
Table 1. Quail whistling survey indices in Michigan counties, 1990-2001. Index is
quail heard per route. Surveys were not conducted in 1996 or 1997.
County
Allegan
Barry
Berrien
Branch*
Calhoun*
Cass
Clinton*
Eaton*
Genessee*
Gratiot*
Hillsdale*
Huron
Ingham*
Ionia
Jackson*
Kalamazoo
Kent
Lapeer*
Lenawee*
Livingston*
Macomb*
Monroe*
Montcalm
Muskegon
Oakland*
Ottawa
Saginaw*
Sanilac*
Shiawassee*
St. Clair*
St. Joseph
Tuscola*
Van Buren
Washtenaw*
Wayne*
MEAN
1990
0
2
1
15
12
0
2
4
12
2
18
4
14
0
14
3
1
13
9
8
9
4
2
0
14
1991
0
2
0
15
15
0
2
14
11
2
16
1
11
0
15
4
0
12
15
9
24
10
10
0
2
1992
0
3
3
21
13
0
2
14
10
5
8
11
13
2
23
12
3
12
24
10
7
15
15
0
0
1993
0
0
0
13
12
0
2
3
7
1
6
5
11
5
15
5
0
5
8
6
7
42
11
44
14
14
0
15
12
9.47
8
18
18
41
15
15
0
11
12
9.65
11
7
13
22
12
13
0
13
14
9.74
23
14
7
25
12
7
0
11
9
7.55
16
21
0
0
1994
0
0
0
8
9
0
1
0
0
2
10
0
4
0
4
6
7
15
9
6
2
2
0
7
8
3
18
5
6
0
12
12
4.88
1995
0
0
0
2
17
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
6
0
6
1
0
4
4
6
9
12
0
0
0
0
1
4
4
32
0
1
1
8
14
3.91
1998
0
1999
0
3
8
9
0
2
1
3
9
8
0
16
1
8
3
0
0
7
16
0
0
2
1
18
8
0
16
1
7
0
0
0
13
2
1
1
5
2000
0
20
12
4
8
1
0
0
7
2
12
0
13.5
1.5
9
0
4
3
1
17
5
3
2
1
2001
0
0
0
4
0
0
1
3
2
1.5
2
0
3
2
0
0
0
10
1
1
1
2
0
0
1
15
6
20
2
6
0
11
4
5.84
12
8
11
21
1
1
0
15
2
5.45
5
14
8
42
2
13
16
32
7.89
0
3
19
1
4.3
0
3
2
2.12
*Bulleted counties represent 22 core counties referenced in text.
Table 2. Counties open to quail hunting in 2001.
Branch
Calhoun
Clinton
Eaton
Genesee
Gratiot
Hillsdale
Huron
Ingham
Jackson
Kent
Lapeer
Lenawee
Ionia
Livingston
Macomb
Monroe
Montcalm
Oakland
Saginaw
St. Clair
St. Joseph
Sanilac
Shiawassee
Tuscola
Washtenaw
Wayne
Number of cooperator hunting hours
No hunting information available
<10 hours
10 - 50 hours
>50 hours
0.00
1.02
0.84
0.12
1.07
0.60
0.95
1.01
0.45
0.77
0.93
1.13
0.91
0.98
0.85
0.80
0.87
0.51
0.13
1.13
0.46
0.40
0.44
1.66
0.73
0.79
1.13
1.61
1.25
0.00
0.55
0.53
1.20
1.46
Appendix A. Rooster pheasants flushed per hour by cooperators, 2000.
Pheasant broods observed
per ten carrier-days
EMMET
CHEBOYGA N
No data
No broods observed
<0.34
0.34 - 0.66
>0.66
PRESQUE ISLE
CHARLEVOIX
ANTRIM
OTSEGO
MO NTMO RENCY
CRAWFORD
OSCODA
ALPENA
LE ELANAU
G RAND
TRAVERS E
BENZ IE
MANI ST EE
KALKASKA
MISSA UKEE ROSCOMMON
WEX FORD
ALCONA
OGEMAW
IOS CO
ARENA C
MASON
LAK E
OSCEOLA
GLADWI N
CLARE
HURON
BAY
OCEANA
MECOSTA
ISAB ELLA
MIDLAND
NEWAYGO
TUSCOLA
MONTCALM
SANI LAC
SAGINAW
GRATI OT
MUSK EGO N
LAP EER
GENESEE
KENT
IONIA
OTTAWA
CLINTON
ST CLAI R
SHIAWASSEE
MACOMB
OAK LAND
ALLEG AN
BARRY
VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO
BE RRI EN
CA SS
ST JO SE PH
EATON
CALHOUN
BRANCH
INGHAM
JACKSON
HI LLSDALE
LIVINGSTON
WASHTENA W
LE NAW EE
WAYNE
MONROE
Appendix B. Pheasant mail carrier brood indices for Michigan counties, 2001.
Number of cooperator hunting hours
No hunting information available
<10 hours
10-50 hours
>50 hours
0.00
1.64
0.06
1.04
1.53
1.43
1.22
0.32
1.35
2.42
1.10
0.33
1.89
1.27
0.47
0.60
1.87
1.62
0.33
1.38
0.64
0.90
0.45
2.95
1.00
0.97
1.11
2.40
1.01
1.23
2.52
0.95
0.40
2.20
Appendix C. Quail flushed per hour by pheasant cooperators, 2000.
EMMET
CHEBOYGAN
Number of quail heard per route
No surveys conducted
No birds heard
<5 quail heard per route
5-10 quail heard per route
10-15 quail heard per route
>15 quail heard per route
PRESQUE ISLE
CHARLEV OIX
ALPENA
OTSEGO
ANTRIM
LEELANAU
BENZ IE
MANIST EE
G RAND
TRAVERSE
WEX FORD
KALKASK A
CRAWFORD
MISSAUKE E
ROS COMMON
ALCONA
OSCODA
OGEMAW
IOS CO
ARENAC
MASON
LAKE
GLADWIN
OSCE OLA
CLARE
MECOS TA
ISABELLA
HURON
BAY
OCEA NA
MIDLAND
NEWAYGO
TUSCOLA
MONTCALM
SA NI LAC
SAGINAW
GRATI OT
MUSKEGO N
LA PEER
GENESEE
KENT
OTTAWA
CLI NTON
IONIA
St . Cl air
SHIAWASS EE
MACOMB
OAKLAND
ALLEG AN
BARRY
VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO
BERRIEN
CASS
ST JO SEPH
EA TON
CALHOUN
BRANCH
INGHAM
JACKS ON
HILLSDALE
LIVINGSTON
WASHTENA W
LENAW EE
WAYNE
MONROE
Appendix D. Average number of quail heard per route, 1990-2001. Index is quail heard per route. Surveys were not
conducted in 1996 or 1997.