Forecast: Favorable spring rain produced good nesting and brood cover through much of Kansas. The result should be pheasant hunting every bit as good as last year’s—and better than the 10- and 20-year averages, says Jeffrey Prendergast, small game specialist with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
But you might not think that, looking at the result of this year’s roadside brood survey. “Pheasants per mile were relatively stable to slightly decreased,” says Prendergast. “However, survey conditions were tough this year. Measures of production indicate that nesting and brooding successes were greater this year than the last several. And anecdotal reports suggest densities may be greater than predicted by survey.”
The so-called northern high plains and southern high plains should both provide good hunting this year. “Southwest has had major improvements in the last year and should have good hunting opportunities throughout,” says Prendergast. Improved production in the northwest should provide better opportunities than last year, but densities aren't as consistent as in the southwest.”
Field Notes: “We are in year one of a five-year pheasant initiative concentrating habitat efforts in two focus areas to improve populations in these areas and identify best management practices for expansion of the program to new areas,” says Prendergast. The two focus areas include portions of Norton County and Mitchell and Osborne counties. Both include public wildlife areas.
Season Dates: November 12, 2016 through January 31, 2017
Daily Bag Limit: 4
Possession Limit: 16
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