Seasonal Movements and Habitat Selection of Pheasant Cocks in South Dakota

Data were gathered on seasonal movements and habitat selection of 30 pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) cocks that were radio-equipped in eastern South Dakota from 1970 to 1972. Pheasant cocks stayed in an area of less than 100 acres from spring through hunting season. In winter, cocks used even smaller areas more intensively. Cocks moved about their home range by shifting their activity center rather than by adjustment in range of daily travel. Adult cocks seemed to have strong site attachments on a year-round basis. Immature cocks were more mobile, especially during the fall prior to hunting season. In spring, adult cocks were least mobile, but utilized the widest diversity of cover types. During summer, land retired under a 1-year program provided a preferred cover type when left undisturbed for the major part of the growing season. Cocks selectively utilized picked cornfields and woody cover during the winter. Apparently management areas of approximately JOO acres could attract and support pheasant cocks in an agricultural area. Areas managed for pheasants should have diverse cover types, especially during the breeding season. A later hunting season, when more corn is harvested, could possibly increase hunter success. Woody cover and residual cover could serve as a management tool for the cock segment of the population by: (1) affecting spring dispersal by providing preferred cover, (2) serving as a focal point of harvest by concentrating birds and hunter effort, and (3) providing preferred winter cover.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Year

1973

Author dc:creator

• Fedeler, Robert A.

• Natural Resources and Conservation

Statement dc:rights

• <p>No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/86

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1086