North Dakota Pheasant News
(PF)
2010 North Dakota Pheasant Hunting Forecast
Sep. 13, 2010Forecast: North Dakota was expected to check in around a 500,000 pheasant harvest last year, and exceeded that with a 650,000 bird take. And though crowing counts were down six percent this spring, overall nesting conditions improved by June across many parts of the state this spring and early summer, which should give NoDak pheasant hunters plenty of optimism heading into fall. Although more snow fell this winter as compared to last, pheasants pulled through very well and populations were stable as spring approached. There were snow showers into May this spring, but as pheasants prepared to sit on nests, conditions were good. With a wet spring and many rain showers, North Dakota greened up quickly. Rain and hail showers at the peak of the hatch likely washed out some nests and will tame numbers in the southeast part of the state, though there will be pockets of excellent habitat and birds. Results from North Dakota's annual August roadside survey notwithstanding, it looks like the southwest region of the state will retain its status as a perennial pheasant power, followed by the northwest region. The south-central and central regions will check in about the same as last year. Season Dates: October 9 through January 2, 2011 Daily Bag Limit: 3 Possession Limit: 12 Field Notes: Habitat and hunting access will be under the microscope in North Dakota the next couple years. In 2011 and 2012, approximately 50 percent of the state's CRP acreage is slated to expire. Many of the 1 million P.L.O.T.S. (Private Land Open to Sportsmen) acres in the state are also enrolled in CRP, so CRP losses have the potential to negatively impact the amount of places to hunt.
North Dakota?s 2009 small game and furbearer regulations have been set and season structures and bag limits are similar to last year.
Pheasant Crowing Counts Down from Last Year - Jun. 25, 2009
North Dakota's spring pheasant crowing count survey revealed a 25 percent decrease statewide compared to last year, according to Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department. Crowing counts are down in all four regions of the state, primarily because of pheasant mortality during the harsh winter of 2008-09.
Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 11 - Sep. 26, 2008
North Dakota’s fall hunting activities pick up considerably Oct. 11 with the opening of pheasant season. With that in mind, hunters are reminded to take proper safety measures while out in the field this fall.
Residents Only on PLOTS, State WMAs from Oct. 11-17 - Sep. 26, 2008
Out-of-state hunters are reminded that state law does not allow nonresidents to hunt on North Dakota Game and Fish Department owned or managed lands during the first week of the pheasant season.
Youth Pheasant Weekend Oct. 4-5 - Sep. 22, 2008
North Dakota’s two-day youth pheasant season is Oct. 4-5. Legally licensed residents and nonresidents ages 15 and younger may hunt roosters statewide.
North Dakota: Pheasant Numbers Down, Good Year Expected - Sep. 15, 2008
North Dakota’s roadside pheasant survey conducted in late July and August revealed lower bird numbers than last year. Total pheasants and brood observations were down 31 percent statewide from last year, while average brood size was down 13 percent, according to Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department.
Pheasant Numbers Down, Good Year Expected - Sep. 12, 2008
North Dakota’s roadside pheasant survey conducted in late July and August revealed lower bird numbers than last year. Total pheasants and brood observations were down 31 percent statewide from last year, while average brood size was down 13 percent, according to Stan Kohn, upland game management supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department.
New Pheasants Forever Chapter Forms out of Valley City - Sep. 11, 2008
Residents of North Dakota's Barnes County have established the 26th Pheasants Forever's (PF) chapter in the state, the Sheyenne Valley Chapter of PF. The Valley City-based group will work to enhance and protect wildlife habitat in their area while also introducing youth to the outdoors.
