Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 14, Good Conditions Expected

If the weather cooperates and temperatures remain mild, pheasant hunters can expect a season similar to 2005, according to Stan Kohn, upland game bird biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

"We could be on target to match, if not exceed, last year's harvest of 809,000 roosters," Kohn said. "It should be a good pheasant hunting season in North Dakota this fall."

Based on roadside brood count information gathered during late July and August, the 2006 pre-hunt pheasant population is up 37 percent from last year. Brood observations statewide were up 41 percent from last year, and average brood size was essentially the same as in 2005.

"The large number of broods increased the number of young observed, and that, coupled with the large number of adults in the population, will make for a high number of birds in the fall population," Kohn said.

Average brood size was down slightly from last year in the southwest and south central portions of the state, Kohn said, but hunters should not notice a change in the fall population from a year ago. "This was somewhat expected in these parts because of drought conditions may have affected young survival," he added. "However, the large number of broods observed in these regions will likely override the decrease in the number of young in the broods."

The northwestern portion of the state should see much improved pheasant hunting over 2005, Kohn predicted, and the northeast will also see pretty good pheasant hunting conditions, especially in those counties right north of the interstate.

Parts of the southwest will see pheasant hunting similar to 2005, Kohn said, with many areas supporting more birds than last year. "The drought may have caused some problems with chick survival, but the large number of broods observed will cover the effects of this and hunting should be quite good," he said.

Kohn said hunters in the southeast should have another good pheasant hunting season. "Some areas will be similar to last year, but many parts of the district will have much improved pheasant hunting," he added. "Personnel are reporting many birds in the fields, especially in those counties bordering South Dakota."

The 2006 regular pheasant season opens Oct. 14 and continues through Jan. 7, 2007. Limits are three roosters daily and 12 in possession. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day. Hunters should refer to the North Dakota 2006-07 Small Game Guide for regulations.

North Dakota's two-day youth pheasant season is Oct. 7-8, when legally licensed residents and nonresidents 12-16 years of age may hunt roosters statewide. Shooting hours, the daily bag limit, licensing requirements, and all other regulations for the regular pheasant season apply. Since the season is intended for youth ages 12-16, all hunters need to have passed a certified hunter education course. An adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter in the field.

Hunters are reminded that Private Land Open To Sportsmen acreage and state wildlife management areas are open to hunting by resident hunters only from Oct. 14-20. Nonresidents, however, can still hunt those days on other state owned and federal lands, or private land.