Evaluation of Ring-Necked Pheasant Brood Rearing Habitat and Survival on Post-Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands in Southwest North Dakota

Abstract

From 2008-2011, we analyzed brood habitat selection and survival of Chinese ringnecked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) from hatch until approximately 30 days post-hatch. We monitored 98 broods at two sites in Adams County, ND. These sites were previously enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and were being managed under a multiple land use system including hayed, idled and season-long grazed land as well as no-till corn (Zea mays) and no-till barley (Hordeum vulgare) crop treatments. Measurements pertaining to the insect and vegetation community and structure were recorded at utilized brood locations and available locations within the study sites. Variability in brood survival was best explained by precipitation events, temperature, brood age a linear and quadratic time trend. Comparisons among models were made using Akaike's Information Criterion (AICc). Within our study area, no habitat selection was found in the season-long, hay, and idle treatments with respect to the habitat variables we measured.