Bird Research: Private Lands Habitat Development

Objectives of this project include: Evaluate the feasibility, costs, and benefits of conservation-oriented private lands management, implemented through a cooperative effort of federal, state, and county resource agencies, on three 4-mile diameter demonstration areas.

Background

During the last few decades, the populations of several wildlife species important to Wisconsin hunters have declined. The Wisconsin pheasant population decline was primarily attributed to loss of habitat quality and quantity due to agricultural expansion. Likewise, duck production on Wisconsin farmlands has declined owing to the loss of more than half of the state´s wetlands.

Past government programs emphasized land purchase to preserve or establish critical habitat for ducks and pheasants. However, approximately 98% of Wisconsin's pheasant range is privately owned. Wildlife managers in many states are therefore shifting more attention to private lands wildlife programs.

Habitat restoration on private lands is needed to reverse the pheasant populations decreases. Although habitat prescriptions have been suggested, documentation of positive impacts on pheasant populations is lacking.

The feasibility and economics of such habitat restoration may be prohibitive on a large scale, but need to be quantified. If the project proves to be cost-effective, habitat development on private lands may be a viable option for increasing pheasants, duck, cottontail, and nongame bird populations.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
David Sample
(608) 221-6351