Scouting for Pheasant - onX Hunt Masterclass - Video

 

Join Pheasants Forever's Tom Carpenter and onX's Ben Brettingen to learn how to scout and hunt pheasants more effectively.

 

 

 

MN 2024 Rooster Pheasant Count UP 1% Statewide

 

Species Reports
Ring-necked Pheasant
The 2024 range-wide total pheasant index (52.1 birds/100 mi) was similar to 2023 (51.2 birds/100 mi; Table 3, Figure 2A). 

Range-wide indices of hens and broods increased (32% and 10%, respectively) compared to 2023, whereas the rooster index remained similar (Table 3). The number of chicks per brood (4.2) and broods per 100 hens (76.9) declined from 2023 (Table 3). The total number of pheasants, hens, roosters, and broods per 100 miles all exceeded their 10-year averages, but the index of broods per 100 hens and chicks per brood declined by 21% and 12%, respectively, from the 10-year averages (98.8 and 4.7, respectively; Table 3). All range-wide indices in 2024 were below the long-term averages (Table 3). 

The index of chicks per brood in 2024 (5.0) is 12% less than the 10-year average (4.7) and 25% less than the long-term average (5.6; Table 3). This suggests that nesting and brood-rearing in 2024 was not as successful relative to last year (2023).

Despite the relatively stable index statewide, trends in the pheasant index varied among regions. The pheasant index increased the most from 2023 in the East Central region (70%), followed by the Central (34%), South Central (8%), and West Central (6%) regions (Table 4). Indices declined in the Southwest (-29%) and Southeast (-9%) regions (Table 4). 

Pheasant indices remain well below their long-term averages in all regions but are near or above their ten-year averages except for the East Central and Southeast regions (Table 4). The Southwest (81.8 birds/100 mi) and West Central (65.9 birds/100 mi) regions had the highest indices, followed by the South Central region (58.6 birds/100 mi). These regions should provide the best hunting opportunities in the state.

Read the full report

Iowa 2024 Pheasant Survey Show Count Down 14% From 2023

Iowa’s 2024 pheasant survey shows stable results compared to recent years, with 19 birds recorded per 30-mile route, slightly down from 23 in 2023.

Despite heavy rainfall during the nesting season, Iowa’s pheasant hunting outlook remains strong, with an expected harvest of 350,000 to 400,000 roosters.

Last year’s pheasant season saw the best numbers since 2007, and if dry conditions hold, a timely crop harvest could set the stage for another successful year.

RING-NECKED PHEASANT
Statewide: This year the statewide pheasant index of 19.3 birds/route represents a significant decrease over last year’s estimate of 22.6 birds/route (Table 3). However, even with this decline the statewide pheasant population index is at (-1%) the 10-year trend (Table 4, Figure 3). 

Iowa research indicates overwinter hen
survival, brood survival, and nest success are the major factors influencing annual changes in pheasant numbers.

Statewide, the total cocks and hens counted on routes were essentially unchanged from 2023, suggesting good overwinter survival (Table 3). However, statewide data on total chicks, chicks/brood (measure of chick survival) and age ratios (chicks per adult hen – measure of overall hen success) were all statistically lower than last year, suggesting from an overall statewide perspective that nest success and brood survival were much poorer in 2024 compared to 2023 (Table 3). Hens without broods was also significant higher (18%) compared to 2023 also supporting a poorer nesting season in 2024. These trends match up well with the weather Iowa experienced over the past year. Only counts in the SW region were statistically lower than 2023, while all other regions reported numbers comparable to 2023 with counts showing upward or downward trends, but none statistically significant - meaning there was no consistent trend in the counts within these regions; some routes increased while others decreased. Counts in the EC and SE regions showed small increases, while counts in other regions showed slight downward trends. The downward trend in 7 of the 9 survey regions contributed to the overall significant statewide decline, even though most regions did not report statistically significant changes in counts.

Overall, pheasant hunters in the Hawkeye state should expect pheasant numbers to be slightly lower than in 2023 in most regions. The NW, NC, NE, WC, and C regions show the best overall densities, however hunters in the EC and SE regions might see a few more birds compared to a year ago. Five (NW, NC, NE, WC, C) of the 9 survey regions reported pheasant averages of 20+ birds per route (Table3/Figure5) and should offer good to excellent hunting. Pheasant hunting last fall in the Hawkeye state was the best seen since 2007 with over half a million (591,000) roosters harvested. Given this year’s statewide index of just under 20 birds per route, Iowa pheasant hunters should harvest approximately 350,000 to 400,000 roosters this fall (Figure 3). 

Hawkeye pheasant hunters could have another very good fall! As of early September, Iowa was still experiencing dry conditions across most of the state. If this pattern continues into October, Iowa could see an early crop harvest, with most fields harvested and plowed by the pheasant opener. Hunter success is usually very good on openers where most crops have been harvested.
 

Northern Regions: Counts in all northern regions exhibited downward trends compared to last year, but none of the declines were statistically significant – meaning generally counts decreased, but some routes increased
(Table 3, Figure 5).

Counts in all three regions are above their 10-year averages, especially the NE region. The NW region averaged 33 birds per route which was the highest density of any region in 2024, while the NE and NC regions averaged 25 and 24 birds/route respectively (Table 3). All 3 regions should offer good to excellent pheasant hunting, particularly around public and private lands with good winter habitat. Better counts in NW came from, Clay, Emmet, and Osceola counties. Butler, Floyd, Hancock, and Humboldt counties reported better numbers in the NC region, while the NE region reported the best counts in Bremer, Chickasaw, and Howard counties (Figure 6).

Central Regions: The WC region reported the second highest counts in the state with 26 birds per route in 2024, with the C region reporting 22 birds/route (Figure 5). Counts in the EC region were statistically unchanged from 2023, but showed an upward trend (Table 3). The EC region was one of the few regions that reported more hens with broods (50%) and chicks (18%) than in 2023, which led to upward trend in counts. All 3 regions should offer good to excellent hunting this fall where good quality pheasant habitat exists (Figure 6). 

The WC region reported better counts in Ida, Calhoun, Greene, and Sac counties. The Central region reported good bird numbers in Boone, Grundy, Marshall, and Webster counties, while the EC region reported better numbers in Johnson, Jones, and Muscatine counties (Figure 6).
Southern Regions: Counts in this region were highly variable with counts in the SE region showing a small upward trend, while counts in the SW region declined significantly compared to 2023 (Table 3 & Figure 5).

Counts in all three regions remain below their 10-year means (Table 4). Hunters should expect bird numbers similar (SE region) or lower (SC and SW regions) compared to 2023. Some of the better counts in 2024 came
from Henry, Louisa, Union, and Washington counties (Figure 6). 

 

See all the table and the full article

2024 Iowa DNR: initial upland game species listening surveys yield positive results

"We heard more pheasants and quail than we have since 2014--all the years we've been doing the survey,"

While impacts of recent floods and heavy rainfall have yet to be seen, initial surveys point towards a healthy population of quail and pheasant in southwest Iowa.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently wrapped up its listening surveys, which help indicate an initial bird population from spring quail whistle counts and rooster crow counts for pheasants and some grass and songbirds. Matt Dollison is a wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR. Speaking on the latest "Outdoors in KMAland" segment, Dollison says that, at least in the immediate area, the surveys showed the population remaining strong following the winter.

"We heard more pheasants and quail than we have since 2014--all the years we've been doing the survey," said Dollison. "So, obviously it looks like a lot of birds survived the winter, which is good news. Now, it's all about nesting and how successful that is, which is really what drives the population."

A second round of listening sessions wrapped up near the beginning of July. Dollison says the listening survey is conducted through "point counts."

Read the full KMAland article

SD Commission dismisses calls to reinstate annual pheasant count

By: Joshua Haiar

State ended prior method over concern that poor numbers would deter out-of-state hunters

State wildlife officials are not bringing back a popular method of estimating South Dakota’s pheasant population, despite requests from the public to do so.

South Dakota is one of the top states for pheasant hunting in the nation, with millions of birds and millions of dollars in economic impact from the hunters that flock to the state each fall. 

When the Department of Game, Fish and Parks recently released the draft of its new pheasant management plan for 2024 to 2028, the end of the document said that “by 2028,” the department planned to “improve existing population monitoring programs to develop survey methods to inform biologists on population status, reproductive success, and relative densities of pheasant populations.”

After reading that draft plan, some people wrote in to tell the department that the way to improve population monitoring programs is to reinstate the old method — commonly called the “brood count.”

“I continue to be amazed and disgusted that GFP no longer conducts the summer brood count survey,” John McDermott wrote in a comment to the department.

“Reinstate the statewide pheasant annual brood survey,” Larry Fredrickson wrote.

“Bring back the brood survey,” Mark Schaefer wrote.

In response, the department deleted the language in the draft plan that sparked the comments.

GF&P Senior Upland Game Biologist Alex Solem told the GF&P Commission on Friday that the change to the plan came “after just some kind of public comments and that sort of stuff.” The commission unanimously approved the new version of the plan, without the language calling for improved population monitoring programs.

The state started the brood count as early as 1960 and ended it in 2019, citing concerns at the time that reports of lower pheasant numbers ahead of the hunting season deterred out-of-state hunters from traveling to South Dakota. 

The department explained the rationale for ending the count in a Pheasant Hunting Marketing Workgroup and Plan. It said ending the count would “ensure that South Dakota is not unintentionally deterring hunters from coming to our state based on the media headlines reporting of low bird numbers.” 

Read the full SD Searchlight article

 

 

North Dakota 2024 spring pheasant crowing counts increase 37% statewide

The number of roosters heard crowing during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2024 spring pheasant crowing count survey was up 37% statewide from last year.

“This is really good news but expected, considering we had such great production last year and the mild winter we had certainly wasn’t hard on birds,” said RJ Gross, Department upland game management biologist.

The primary regions holding pheasants showed 28.8 crows per stop in the southwest, up from 19.5 in 2023; 21.5 crows per stop in the northwest, up from 16.6; and 16 crows per stop in the southeast, up from 12.8. The count in the northeast, which is not a primary region for pheasants, was 5 crows per stop, up from 3.3 last year.

Barring untimely heavy rains, cool weather or hail, Gross expects more good news as the peak of the pheasant hatch is upon us.

“The residual cover this year was great … with timely rains, the habitat for nesting looks great,” Gross said. “We should be setting up for a good fall.”

Pheasant crowing counts are conducted each spring throughout North Dakota. Observers drive specified 20-mile routes, stopping at predetermined intervals, and counting the number of pheasant roosters heard crowing over a 2-minute period.

The number of pheasant crows heard are compared to previous years’ data, providing a trend summary.

Read the Full ND GF article

Hiring - Quail Research and Management Technician

 

 

 

 

 

Description

We are hiring a Quail Research and Management Technician to assist ongoing efforts on the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, located in Fisher, Co Texas.  Job responsibilities will include major efforts in radio telemetry, quail trapping, call count surveys, raptor ID, small mammal trapping, use of tractor and implements, and more.  You will receive exposure to a wide variety of data collection techniques, learn to use farm equipment, and gain hands-on experience in habitat management.

In March 2007, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation was granted its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit status as a charitable organization and the deed to our Research Ranch was transferred to the Foundation later that year. Operations began in early 2008, and from that time RPQRF has invested tens of thousands of hours, millions of dollars, and so much more into research, education, and outreach for wild quail both on and off the Research Ranch. 

Our Research Ranch is 4800 acres of quail habitat representative of millions of acres in the Rolling Plains. It is the living laboratory in which we collect data, manage habitat, and monitor a multitude of ecological relationships. We collect data on bobwhite and scaled quail abundance, survival, reproduction, and movement; small mammal abundance; mesocarnivores; and many quail predators. Our ongoing habitat management activities include planting of food plots, invasive species control, prescribed fire, brush sculpting, and soil disturbance.

 

See the full Texas A&M post along with application instructions.

Sisseton SD Day 4 Pheasant Hunting Trip Limit

 

Our second limit of the trip

Sisseton SD Day 4 Pheasant Hunting Trip Limit

Aberden South Dakota Day One 2023

 

 

It was decent weather for the start of our 2023 South Dakota Pheasant Hunting trip.  45 degrees and not too much wind.  We hunted all new spots today.  Val got the first spot and got one hen point in her hour run.  The area looked good but just didn't produce.  

Tasha got the call for the 2nd spot.  This one looked better as it had a freshly picked corn field next to it.  We started with 2 hen points in the grass and then she had a nice point along some cattails and we were able to harvest the bird.  She did a nice job on the retrieve as most of the shot had hit one of the wings.