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The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative is a conservation partnership working cooperatively to achieve the recovery of wild pheasants in the state of Michigan. Current partners include Michigan Council of Pheasants Forever, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Services Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We fully expect the partnership to continue to expand as this initiative moves forward. This initiative is based on providing quality habitat on areas with the highest potential to impact pheasants in Michigan, with an initial emphasis on three pilot areas:
Pilot Priority Area 1: Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac counties;
Pilot Priority Area 2: Saginaw, Gratiot and Clinton counties; and
Pilot Priority Area 3: Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties
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Within these focus areas priority project sites will be targeted where multiple landowners can provide 1,500 - 2,000 of habitat within a 10,000 acre area. These lands can be public or private though most of the effort will focus on private lands. The goal is to establish 10 of these project areas by 2013. Local biologist and Conservation District staff will be available to evaluate habitat needs in the project area, make habitat recommendations and steer landowners towards federal, state and private organizations that can help fund or implement habitat projects.
Once the habitat goals are met, a DNR sanctioned wild pheasant trap and transplant will occur on the area to trigger a faster population change. Birds will be released for one to two years with the hope that with quality habitat and a jump start from released birds that natural population growth will maintain results from these efforts. Local pheasant population monitoring protocol will be developed to monitor the initiative's impact within the project areas.
As part of the initiative, Michigan DNR will also be expanding opportunities for public hunting on private lands through the Hunting Access Program. Through new federal grants this program will be expanded through increased payment schedules, increased marketing and outreach.
Outreach and education to youth about pheasant hunting is also a priority within the Initiative. Conservation partners will provide youth events to explain pheasant needs and habitat as well as an opportunity to share our pheasant hunting heritage with others.
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