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2025-2026 Upland Bird Season Outlook

Posted 8/19/25 (Tue)

The 2025 pheasant brood numbers were significantly higher than last year. Compared with the 2024 survey, total pheasants per mile were also higher (by 79%).

Compared with the previous 5-year average (2020 – 2024), total pheasants per mile were 92% higher. Compared with the previous 10-year average (2015-2024), total pheasants per mile were 65% higher.

Weather patterns have been mixed with last fall experiencing average rainfall. Winter was fairly mild with little to no snow cover throughout.This summer has consisted of average rainfall which allowed for good nesting and brood rearing cover. Average brood sizes were lower than 2024 (6.1 chicks/brood) this year indicating average chick survival.

Prairie grouse (prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse) spring lek surveys showed an 8% decrease in breeding males compared to counts last year (6% lower for prairie-chickens and 4% lower for sharp-tailed grouse). Due to fair nesting conditions and brood rearing conditions, we expect grouse chick survival to be fair, similar to pheasant chick survival.

Habitat conditions are good this year with nearly average precipitation in early-mid summer. Grass cover is average to good and food plots and pollinator plots are good to excellent.

Overall, pheasant hunting should be better than last year with harvests near or above the 10 year average. Prairie grouse hunting should be above average this year compared to the long-term averages. We continue to manage about 7,000 acres of CRP grassland, 500 acres of grain sorghum and 160 pollinator plots, many shelterbelts and over 60,000 acres of Walk-in Hunting lands.

Licenses are available on-line or by phone. The office will be open from 8 – 4:30 on weekdays and Saturdays (October 7 – October25).