Minnesota’s 2023 pheasant hunt: Are hunters in for a big season?

New Ulm, Minn. — Minnesota likely will never revisit the halcyon days of the 1940s and ’50s when upland hunters routinely harvested more than a million ring-necked pheasants. But on the eve of Saturday’s 2023 opener, state officials genuinely are optimistic about the upcoming season.

Buoyed by good to excellent spring nesting and brood-rearing conditions across parts of the state’s primary ringneck range, pheasant numbers statewide averaged a 10% increase from 2022, which is 26% above the 10-year average, according to the Minnesota DNR’s annual August roadside wildlife survey. Put another way, this year’s pheasant index was 53 birds per 100 miles of roads surveyed, compared with 48 in 2002.

Some regions saw eye-popping increases in numbers compared with last year: The pheasant index increased 101% in the southwest region (116.8 birds/100 miles) and 38% in the west-central region (63 birds/100 miles). By contrast, pheasant numbers dropped 39% in the central, 63% in the eastcentral, 11% in the south-central and 50% in the southeast.

“Pheasant hunters certainly have reason to cheer in the southwest region this year, and we also saw increases in the west-central portion of the state,” said Tim Lyons, Minnesota DNR upland game research biologist. The state’s best hunting, according to the survey, will also include the south-central region (54.5 bird/100 miles).

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State officials say the huge bump in pheasant numbers in the southwest and west-central regions may have come as a surprise to hunters who are serious winter-weather watchers.

After all, last winter was brutal throughout much of the state’s pheasant range, with plenty of snow and ice, which made late-season hunting difficult, if not impossible, in some areas.

“We lost some birds because of the harsh winter, but pheasants are incredibly resilient, too, and that’s what we’re seeing right now,” said Scott Roemhildt, 59, the DNR’s southern region director. An avid pheasant hunter who has been chasing ringnecks since age 11, Roemhildt said Minnesota’s pheasant population is driven primarily by two factors: weather and habitat. Weather causes annual fluctuations in numbers, while habitat drives long-term population trends.

“I’m very optimistic,” he said, adding that a good nesting season in many areas set the table for a good hunting season.

For example, Roemhildt said, spring snowmelt helped improve grassland conditions, and a warm, dry spring and summer followed. The favorable mix provided optimal brood-rearing conditions.

“We had a two-month period when we typically get a lot of rain and lose nests when it was record dry,” he said. “The weather was perfect for nesting and brood survival. We’re seeing the numbers show up now, especially in the south and southwest. It looks really good there.”

For the opener, the wild card is crop harvest, which is ahead of schedule (generally a week or more) across the state’s primary pheasant range. More harvested corn means fewer places where pheasants can hide. Some areas are further along than others. Recent rains, however, have kept farmers out of the fields.

“I certainly think the pheasant numbers are there, but the crop harvest has been delayed because of the rain, which could make it feel like there are fewer birds because of all the cover,” said Curt Vacek, DNR area wildlife supervisor in the Appleton area. “But harvest can happen quickly, so hunters need to keep that in mind.”

That’s why Vacek and Roemhildt recommend scouting (before the season and during) to locate birds and to better gauge crop harvest – especially around public lands. The best time to scout is at sunrise or near sunset, when pheasants are most active.

“I like to get out there early and look around,” Roemhildt said. “Get a thermos of coffee and drive around and see where the birds are moving.”

Bob St. Pierre is the chief marketing and communications officer with Pheasants Forever. He said not to get caught up in the excitement of a new season and overdo it. Most importantly, keep your bird dog’s health in mind on opening day.

“Bring water, put on a dog vest, perform a tailgate check after each run,” St. Pierre said. “Temperatures can vary dramatically on opening day, so consider your dog’s physical condition, the weather, and the habitat. Refrain from letting your exuberance for a new season lead you to making mistakes with your pup. Your bird dog is the most important component of your hunt, so be mindful of keeping your pup healthy to hunt all season.”

Opening weekend can be hard on hunters, too. Be mindful of your physical condition and don’t over-exert yourself. To prevent cramping, stay hydrated and eat a potassium-rich banana. Saturday’s forecast calls for a high temperature in the low 50s.

“Pheasant hunting is going to force us all to use muscles that have been dormant the last few months – like our hip flexors,” said St. Pierre. In addition, dog owners should always abide by the golden rule: “Always follow your dog,” he said.

Matt Loftness, DNR conservation officer in Marshall, said public lands will be “saturated with groups of hunters” on the opener and that uplanders need to proceed with caution. While pheasant hunting is a safe activity, opening day can be challenging, based on the sheer numbers of hunters afield.

“That’s the biggest safety issue on the opener – groups of hunters coming from all directions and sometimes converging on one another,” said Loftness, speaking of hunters utilizing state wildlife management areas, federal waterfowl production areas, or state Walk-In Access areas, which are private lands open to public hunting.

“You have to be careful … and you need to be cognizant where other groups are in relationship to your own. In general, be aware of your surroundings and clearly identify your target and ensure it’s safe to shoot before you pull the trigger,” he said. “On the opener, everyone is excited to be out, but you always have to be mindful of safety.”

Loftness said some hunters he knows won’t hunt the opener or opening morning because “the chaos of the crowds.”

“I know one local guy here who refuses to go out opening weekend because of how unsafe it can potentially be,” Loftness said, adding that some opt to hunt later in the day. “Pheasant hunters won’t be the only people using public land on Saturday. There will others hunting ducks, geese, squirrels, deer, you name it. So it can get crowded.”

Loftness anticipates a good opener. “I think it’s going to be a good season overall, too,” he said. “The corn is coming out and the harvest is ahead of schedule, so that should help hunters early in the season.”