PHEASANT FACT FRIDAY - The major cause of winter pheasant mortality is not starvation. It's freezing. A pheasant's physiological processes can produce only so much heat, and as temperatures drop more and more body heat is lost to the surrounding air. At some temperature, called the "lower critical temperature," more heat is lost than can be produced, and the bird freezes. Whether a well fed pheasant freezes at -20°F or 0°F is unknown, but -50°F would freeze any pheasant. So why don't all pheasants freeze each winter? They would if it were not for one factor - winter habitat. The insulating effect of habitat moderates windchills, thus providing a warmer and less energy-demanding microclimate for the birds. Pheasant Fact Friday is presented by Irish Setter Boots #pheasantsforever #pheasantfactfriday

Save 30% on SoundGear Phantoms and get custom impressions taken at Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic! Select "Take my impressions at Pheasant Fest" and enter code "PREFEST" at checkout. Shop now: https://bit.ly/4afJIwf

🚨Calling all Nebraskans! 🚨 Nebraska's Legislative Bill 1072 proposes transferring $40 million out of the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET). NOW is the time to speak up, before the Appropriations Committee votes on LB1072 this week! NET funding supports landowners, contractors, and rural communities—when routed through a nonprofit like PF & QF, 93% of the funding goes directly back into on-the-ground work. Historically, NET dollars have helped PF & QF deliver 8,800+ projects, 500,000+ acres of habitat, 58,000 acres of public access, prescribed fire training, and local jobs, while leveraging $4–$6 in additional funds for every $1 invested. The funding is crucial to the economic impact of nearly $4 Billion dollars annually to Nebraska through outdoor recreation. Nebraska is a top-5 state for pheasant and quail hunting. Conservation funding fuels the work that goes into creating and improving the habitat our favorite upland birds need. Without NET, habitat conservation in Nebraska is at risk. Thank you for taking the time to use your voice! If you live in Nebraska, follow the link below to send a message to your state senator and request the transfer be eliminated from LB1072. https://pheasantsforever.quorum.us/campaign/154366/

Sporting Dog Shorts Fueled by Pro Plan Sporting Dogs - A Hunter's Guide to Senior Sporting Dog Health If you’ve hunted behind the same dog season after season, you know the bond only gets richer with time. That dog you trained, trusted, and walked countless miles with? Still eager. Still sharp. Still your partner in the uplands. Around age 7, that bird dog quietly earns “senior” status, even if you’d never guess it watching them charge into the field, eyes bright and tail thumping at the sound of the gun. The truth is, subtle changes start happening under all that grit and drive. The good news? With a few smart adjustments, your seasoned hunting partner can stay comfortable, confident, and in the field for years to come. Petvetruthann explains everything you need to now about keeping your senior bird dog sharp here: https://bit.ly/45A9dXB

PHEASANT FACT FRIDAY - Death from starvation after a blizzard is more likely than during a blizzard, but still rare if birds have protective cover. Pheasants can survive up to two weeks, even if all food sources are covered by deep snow or ice. Without any available food, a January rooster can survive 19 days, and hens 16 days. These survival days will of course decrease with colder temperatures. Pheasants die when they reach 60 percent of their normal body weight. A 2.4 lbs hen will die at around 1.4 Ibs. Even if the snow clears from the food supplies after one week, the hen's deteriorated body condition may bring quick death if another blizzard comes too soon. Pheasant Fact Friday is presented by Irish Setter Boots #pheasantsforever #pheasantfactfriday