Pheasant Season Outlook
Across the nation the number of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) acres are still on the decline which is bad news for pheasant hunters. According to Pheasants Forever last year alone over 1.1 million acres of this prime pheasant habitat expired last year alone and another 3.8 million acres is due to expire this fall. In addition to providing access to great hunting opportunities these lands provided great nesting cover and winter shelter that pheasants need to survive.
Colorado Forecast- Colorado numbers look better than they did the last few years. The spring nesting weather was excellent and crowing counts are up 15% over last year state wide. Colorado pheasant season runs from November 14 thru January 31, 2010 and a daily bag limit of 3 birds is in place for 2009 with a total possession limit of 9 birds.
Illinois Forecast- Crowing counts in Illinois appear to be down close to 18% in 2009 which translates to bad news for Illinois hunters, but the number of hunters going out into the field is also down around 17% translating into more opportunity for the folks that do venture out. Pheasant season in Illinois runs November 7 thru January 8, 2010 in the North Zone and November 7 thru January 15, 2010 in the South Zone
Iowa Forecast- Iowa is coming off the lowest harvest number ever recorded in 2008 giving many hunters the feeling that there is nowhere to go but up. That may not be the case however as road side surveys showed another 12% decline in pheasant numbers this year for the state. Hunters should keep in mind that even with lower numbers Iowa is still full of great habitat and better opportunities for hunters to harvest birds them most states in the Midwest. Iowa pheasant season runs from October 31 to January 10, 2010
Kansas Forecast- Kansas had excellent spring breeding conditions and local hunters are in agreement that 2009 could be one of the best hunting seasons in years for the state. Northwest Kansas crowing index hit a new all time high this spring and state wide the numbers are strong as well. Kansas Pheasant Hunting Season Runs from November 14 through January 31, 2010
South Dakota- Brood surveys in South Dakota were good (The 4th highest count in 45 years), but the numbers were down over 25% from 2008. Much of the decrees is believed to be caused by the reduction of CRP acres in South Dakota, but South Dakota still has some outstanding hunting opportunities and is by far still the raining Pheasant hunters destination. SD Pheasant Hunting Season starts with a Statewide youth season on October 3 thru October 7 followed by the Resident-only season starting October 10 thru October 12; Regular season starts October 17 thru January 3, 2010
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Help Keep Our Great Sport Alive- Take A Kid Pheasant Hunting Today Every day our sport comes under attack by anti gun and anti hunting groups. You can help keep the great sport of pheasant hunting alive by supporting legislators that are pro hunting and pro guns. The other big part of the equation is getting more people involved in the sport. I believe that the biggest reason most people don't hunt is no one has ever shown them how. Get your kids and friends involved in hunting and shooting sports today. Not only is this a great way to enjoy time together and in the outdoors but it helps preserver the sport for generations to come. For more information check out our take a kid pheasant hunting forum thread. It contains some good links for more information on the subject