Overall Outlook:

After the better part of a decade of fantastic pheasant numbers in the Midwest – bird numbers aided by a strong Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) – pheasant hunters will be finding fewer ringnecks during the 2011-2012 pheasant hunting season.
Tough weather, from drought in Kansas to hard winters in the Dakotas, did its fair share to hurt pheasant populations, but it’s the 5 million fewer CRP acres than there was just four years ago that made sure pheasant numbers were bound to decrease, which they did in every major pheasant producing state. Pheasants Forever is advocating for a strengthened CRP and other federal conservation programs in preparation of the upcoming Farm Bill, but cannot do it without your support as a Pheasants Forever member.
Despite the decline, there are still millions of pheasants roaming the grasslands, fencerows and field edges in the heart of pheasant country. South Dakota will again be in a class by itself, while Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota look to be next best. In other states, boot leather will have to wear thinner in the fields this year. But as veteran uplanders know, any day hunting roosters is a day well spent. Remember to always consult official state hunting regulations for rules and season dates, and please carry Pheasants Forever's code of conduct with you into the field this fall:

As a member of Pheasants Forever, I believe in conserving wildlife and protecting the environment. I promise to leave the outdoors a little better than I found it. I will hunt safely and treat hunting on public and private land as a privilege. I will always ask permission before hunting private land. I will obey all game laws and insist my companions do as well.

2011 California Forecast
California - Average Year by Modern Standards
2011 Colorado Forecast
Colorado – Northeast Up While Southeast Prospects Dry Up
2011 Idaho Forecast
Idaho – Southwest Hatch Looks Good
2011 Illinois Forecast
Illinois – Hunter Numbers Up, Bird Numbers the Same
2011 Indiana Forecast
Indiana – Slight Dip, Don’t Overlook Northeast
2011 Iowa Forecast
Iowa – While Waiting on Weather, a New Low
2011 Kansas Forecast
Kansas – Central Looking Best
2011 Michigan Forecast
Michigan – Numbers Low, Pheasant Restoration Program Begins
2011 Minnesota Forecast
Minnesota – Winter, Spring, Habitat Loss Deliver Punch
2011 Missouri Forecast
Missouri – Pheasants and Pheasant Hunter Numbers Drop
2011 Montana Forecast
Montana – Winter Clenches, Spring Drenches Outlook
2011 Nebraska Forecast
Nebraska – Head West, Pheasant Hunters
2011 New York Forecast
New York – Working on Habitat out West
2011 North Dakota Forecast
North Dakota – Pheasant Numbers Down, Still a Top Destination
2011 Oklahoma Forecast
Oklahoma – Drought Quells Gains
2011 Ohio Forecast
Ohio - Report Coming Soon
2011 Oregon Forecast
Oregon – Fair to Good
2011 Pennsylvania Forecast
Pennsylvania - Recovery Projects Continue
2011 South Dakota Forecast
South Dakota – Big Drop, But Still Tops
2011 Texas Forecast
Texas – Drought Hurts Nesting and Brood Habitat
2011 Utah Forecast
Utah – Pheasant Upswing Continues
2011 Washingon Forecast
Washington – Columbia Basin Could Be Hidden Gem
2011 Wisconsin Forecast
Wisconsin – Downward Trend Continues