Spring Revival Photo Gallery

Even mild winters in pheasant country bring with them a fair share of hardship, which makes every sign of spring welcome. It's a time of hope, rejuvenation and work, for both pheasants and Pheasants Forever alike.

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You'll notice the rooster pheasant looks different than he did in the fall. The enlarging wattles on the rooster's head signify that spring mating season is near. (photo by Nick Von Ohlen)

Roosters begin crowing in March, with crowing activity reaching a maximum in late April and early May. Crowing activity starts before sunrise, peaking just before sunup, before trailing off. (photo by Nick Von Ohlen)

In addition to crowing, roosters try to establish a breeding territory by holding their heads high, pumping out their chests and flapping their wings. Hens notice this activity during April, when they're ready to mate. (photo by Roger Hill)

Pheasants aren't the only busy bodies during spring. Spring means planting that next CRP grassland or food plot area, and many Pheasants Forever chapters and members are actively helping to restore or create wildlife areas. (Pheasants Forever file photo)

Nesting cover is the single most important factor in determining pheasant populations. Unfortunately, due to reductions in CRP acres, pheasants have been losing nesting cover in recent years. (Pheasants Forever file photo)

How much nesting cover do pheasants need? With a home range of roughly one square mile, about 5-10 percent (30-60 acres) should be nesting cover. Every inch of grassland helps, and more hens nest in larger areas. (Pheasants Forever file photo)

Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists are also out and about during the spring time, meeting with landowners to discuss future conservation program options.

Hen pheasants will initiate their nests in early May and start incubating by the end of the month. The average incubation is 23 days, and pheasant chicks begin arriving in earnest by mid June. (Pheasants Forever file photo)

A spring chick's cuteness doesn't do them any favors in the wild. These chicks will have to navigate weather events and predators to make it to adulthood. (photo by Roger Hill)

As spring turns into summer, this is exactly what pheasant chicks need. Grassy areas with flowering plants draw insects, and for the first six weeks of their lives, pheasant chicks feed almost entirely on insects. (Pheasants Forever file photo)