Well, it looks like another challenging year for hunting pheasant in North Dakota. If you were out last year, you will have a good understanding of what lies ahead as it looks to be very similar when the season opens October 9 and runs through January 2, 2022
According to the state’s Game and Fish Department reports the number of pheasants observed during its annual upland game brood survey was down 23 percent. The extreme drought experienced throughout most of North Dakota this year has made habitat for the birds very limited. Over time we should see this habitat improving along with the numbers but that may take a few years to normalize. After speaking with a landowner in the Mott are, everything I am reading and hearing is confirmed.
One change to be aware of this year for hunters looking to hunt public, non posted land is the addition of digitally posted land which may not necessarily by physically posted. Resources to confirm the eligibility of hunting digitally posted land can be confirmed on North Dakota’s app online see “electronically posted lands.”
In my opinion, simply getting out with friends and family for a nice walk and the chance to get a few birds or even miss a few easy ones will make it a great season. More to come as the season opens.
written by Kristopher Andrew Nelson: 9:05 am September 19, 2021