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.
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.
Sharptails, Ruffed Grouse and Partridge Seasons Open Sept. 9 - Sep. 09, 2006
Sharp-tailed grouse and partridge hunters should find more birds in the field this fall compared to last year, according to Jerry Kobriger, upland game management supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Dickinson.
HIP Certification Required for Migratory Bird Hunters - Aug. 28, 2006
As early Canada goose, mourning dove, sandhill crane and regular waterfowl seasons open in September, migratory game bird hunters are reminded to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting in North Dakota this fall.
