As I recall, the blizzard of '78 was more severe in terms of prolonged cold and wind chill. I would imagine the greater difficulty in accessing food sources and burning off calories faster than they could be replaced would have a more serious effect. We shall see. Here in my part of Western Pa., we unfortunately have no quail to lose. We once had Ringneck Pheasants by the large flock but our Game Comission decided we should shoot all the mommy pheasants. Within a few years, and certainly helped by clean herbicide farming, Pheasants in these parts are an endangered species. The exploding coyote population is doing a number on grouse and turkey. Friends with sons cry about how hard it is to keep a kid interested in hunting when game is so scarce. Even the bunny numbers are way down. Could be the coyotes, or having a Red-tailed hawk on every telephone wire. No squirrel shortage, though and geese are like cockroaches in a tenement. Sure wish I could develop a liking for goose meat. I won't shoot what I won't eat.
