LE3 .A278 1978

1978

Dodds, Donald

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

After a decline in the ring-necked pheasant population in the Annapolis Valley in the early 1950's, a population study was undertaken by the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forests. Following the termination of this study in 1963, spring cock crowing count, winter sex ratio and hunter-harvest data have been collected each year. This thesis employs these data to assess the pheasant population, emphasizing the 1964-1977 post-study period. An overall increasing trend began in 1965 and has continued to the present. A maximum pheasant harvest in 1976 followed by a decline in 1977 suggests the population has peaked and may be levelling off at a relatively high density. Chief factors contributing to the increase include changing land use practices (especially agricultural) resulting in an increase in the available food supply, favourable climatic conditions, and hunting pressure.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2255