Here in Montana we know how important residual grass structure is to most ground nesting birds. If eggs and chicks survive predation (and dense grass overstory is the most common correlate of nesting and brood success) then pheasant, grouse, and upland duck species thrive. If this happens to be CRP acreage where these bird produce best, their populations frequently overflow onto surrounding public lands or even distant wetlands (which are generally widely accessible to hunters). Farmers win, bird populations win, and hunters win, here in Montana anyway.
