MT 2006 PHEASANT SEASON OUTLOOK

2006 PHEASANT SEASON OUTLOOK

Pheasant hunters in Montana may enjoy even better hunting than they saw last year Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials say. Bird numbers are generally improved and birds appear to be filling up prime habitat and spilling over into marginal areas.

Another in a series of mild winters in the state, followed by a spring with good precipitation, provided good food and cover for pheasants that were nesting and rearing broods.

"Statewide pheasant numbers are expected to be similar to or improved in most areas when compared to last year,” said Rick Northrup, FWP game bird coordinator. "If there is a downside, it is that the hot, dry conditions from late June through the remainder of summer may have affected chick survival in some areas."

The pheasant season in Montana is Oct. 7—Jan. 1, 2007.

In some areas, rain in early May may have caused some hens to re-nest. Pheasants are strong re-nesters if nests are destroyed during laying or prior to mid-incubation. If nest disturbances are frequent, pheasants will make multiple attempts to produce a brood. In those situations, hunters may find that young male pheasants may be hard to distinguish from hens because they will not have taken on the vibrant color that they are known for.

Northrup said he is nonetheless optimistic that pheasant production statewide is generally good despite a second round of moisture late last spring.

"Air temperatures were generally warm enough to relieve most of the potential impact of this rain on early hatches," he said.

Even in years when conditions are good, however, hunters may have to work hard. Birds tend to be more widely distributed and more difficult to find when they have good cover and food, Northrup said.

Northrup said that he likes to watch to see where hunters are having the most success during the first two weeks of the season when he is planning where to hunt. After the initial wave of hunting pressure, there can still be a lot of opportunity if there is good cover for birds.

Northrup reminded bird hunters to arrange well in advance for hunting access to private lands, and if possible to bring along a well-trained hunting dog.

Here is a brief overview of pheasant hunting opportunities around the state.

FWP Region 7—Southeastern Montana
In the Miles City area, the upland game bird population is expected to be fair to good. In general, southeastern Montana enjoyed good spring precipitation in the form of rains and thunderstorms. Although the rain may have affected nesting at local levels, brood-rearing conditions should have been very good. Pheasant numbers in southeast Montana have been affected by prolonged drought, but production this year is expected to be an improvement compared to recent years in irrigated valleys and nearby wooded draws. There are pockets of pheasants along the Yellowstone River corridor and nearby agricultural areas.

FWP Region 6—Northeastern Montana
Hunters are likely to see good pheasant numbers. Spring crowing counts were average to above average across the region this year and biologists reported a mix of brood sizes. Pheasant numbers appear to be strong along the Milk and Missouri rivers and their larger tributaries. Hot, dry weather that followed the early peak hatch may have affected broods in dryer upland habitats. Hunting opportunities will vary depending on the location but generally look good to very good.
FWP Region 5—South Central Montana
In Billings and the surrounding area, hunters can expect better than average pheasant hunting. A relatively mild winter and some moisture in the early summer created good habitat for raising pheasant broods. FWP biologists report that pheasant populations are near the long-term average and that hunters may find hunting improved over last year.

FWP Region 4—North Central Montana
Great Falls and the surrounding area experienced a very good pheasant hunting last year, especially north of Great Falls in the Conrad area and at Freezout Wildlife Management Area. Field biologists say pheasant numbers may not be quite as good this year. Heavy precipitation around the time of peak hatch that may have affected brood survival. The Lewistown area experienced similar spring conditions and indicators suggest pheasant populations may vary noticably from area to area in the region.
FWP Region 3—Southwestern Montana
Pheasant hunters in Bozeman and the surrounding area can expect to see pheasant hunting that is comparable to or slightly better than what they experienced last year. Production was generally good. At Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area, biologists say brood numbers are about average when compared to production in recent years. Pheasant hunters are urged to obtain hunting access well in advance of any hunting they plan.
FWP Region 2—Western Montana
Missoula and the surrounding area had favorable spring conditions and bird production was good. FWP biologists in the area generally predict that pheasant hunting will be similar to that in recent years.

FWP Region 1—Northwestern Montana
Kalispell, and the surrounding area, has experienced lower than average pheasant numbers in the past few years, and this year is likely to be no exception. Small brood sizes are being observed at the Ninepipe Wildlife Management area, possibly due to ill timed spring precipitation, though nesting cover was good. Pheasant hunting in FWP Region 1 will be similar to or slightly below par when compared to last year.

For more information about pheasant hunting in Montana, visit FWP’s ’06 Upland Game Bird Hunting Guide.