Pheasant season to open Saturday

The leaves are changing colors, the days are getting cooler, and the smell of fall is in the air. It can only mean one thing to an upland bird hunter: pheasant season is right around the corner.

Before long, we’ll be stocking our pockets with shells, grabbing our shotguns, and heading for the nearest hot spot to try our luck in bagging some clever old roosters. It’s a wonderful time indeed.

Pheasant hunting has a long history in Nebraska, dating back to the 1920s. In fact, back in the late 50s and early 60s the Cornhusker state was known for its great pheasant populations and excellent hunting.

These days, pheasant populations aren’t quite as good as what they used to be, primarily due to a change in farmland practices. However, one can still hunt on public or private land (with permission of course) and have a good chance of finding some birds.
The forecast this year for pheasants looks to be good in some parts of the state, but the previous winter and abundant rainfall this spring have taken a toll on some areas.

Included in those areas is the Panhandle, which, according to pheasantsforever.org, is down more than 20 percent in overall pheasant abundance this year. This could spell trouble for residents of Chadron trying to bag some roosters this season, but I’m sure the resilient hunters will still have some luck.

The season kicks off Saturday and lasts until the end of January. Chadron residents will most likely look east or south for their pheasant hunting excursion, as there are not a lot of good places to hunt in the immediate area.

If you’re looking for a place to hunt, there are number of Conservation Reserve Program-Management Access Program (CRP-MAP) lands along Highway 20 from Hay Springs to Gordon. Check out the Nebraska Game and Parks website for more information.
Also, keep in mind that a Resident Annual Hunting Permit is required to hunt pheasants.

Be safe and good luck!