Pheasant and quail numbers dwindling in Ohio: Outdoors Notebook
Pheasant, rabbit hunting and bobwhite quail begins next Friday in Ohio. Half a century ago, these small game seasons are the most popular each year.
Not these days.
The proliferation of deer and wild turkeys have taken the spotlight as the wild pheasants and quail numbers have declined, mainly due to a change in farming practices. Storms last winter and spring rains were not good for game birds, biologists say, and their number is even lower this season.
To bring out pheasant hunters, the Ohio Division of Wildlife is releasing 15,340 farm-raised male pheasants at public hunting areas. Northeast Ohio gets the lion's share, about 5,800 birds. Coveys of quail are so hard to find that only 16 counties in extreme southwestern Ohio will be open to hunting.
Wild rabbits are the bright spot, said Nathan Stricker at the Olentangy Wildlife Research Station, head of small-game management for the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
"The state's cottontail population has been very good for the last several years," Stricker said. "This year should provide some excellent opportunities."
The rabbit season runs through Feb. 29; pheasant hunting is open through Jan. 8; and the short quail season ends Nov. 27. All the seasons are closed during the statewide deer gun seasons (Nov. 28 to Dec. 4 and Dec. 17-18).
Pheasant stockings: Pheasants are being released at public hunting areas this weekend for the Youth Small Game Season and for the opening of the regular season next Friday. For a complete listing of state pheasant stockings visit cleveland.com/outdoors.
Asian carp update: Ohio and four other Great Lakes states are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to require nets in Chicago-area waterways to stop Asian carp from invading Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. It sounds logical, but the Supreme Court has already turned down two requests to close Chicago-area waterways to stop the carp.
Deer Cree Apt North Royalton Oh - News
The Sunday events are being held at Lorain County Beagle Club in Brighton; Streetsboro Sportsman Association in Shalersville Township; South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association in North Royalton; and Lodi Bird Club in Lodi. Check the Outdoor Calendar at
Columbia Reservation, 24145 Royalton Road (Ohio 82), Columbia Township. Hibernation Hike. Learn about our local wildlife's hibernation strategies, then hike the trails to see which ones are still around. Easy hiking level. 1 pm Saturday.