(Spirit Lake)– With nearly three feet of snow on the ground and drifts that are much deeper than that even, concern is mounting over the welfare of wildlife…especially pheasants.
Jerry Robinson of Dickinson County Pheasants Forever says this winter is delivering a one-two punch. He’s asking farmers to clear off areas of crop stubble where pheasants and other wildlife could feed. Robinson says the organization is willing to reimburse farmers for the expense of their fuel for doing that. He says they should contact Ron Walker, Treasurer of Dickinson County Pheasants Forever at Arnolds Park City Hall.
Robinson says the deep snow cover is making it very difficult, if not impossible, for pheasants to find food.
And he says the recent blizzard conditions complicated matters. Robinson says pheasants typically don’t fair well as the wind can blow snow up under the feathers, causing them to freeze to death; or their beaks can become clogged with snow, causing them to suffocate.
Meanwhile, officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources urge everyone NOT to feed pheasants and other wildlife. DNR Wildlife Bureau Chief Dale Garner says feeding wildlife could make them vulnerable to predators and could increase the potential of spreading disease, such as avian influenza.
Garner says the DNR will likely propose some regulations for wildlife feeding in the upcoming legislative session.
