2021 Pheasant hunting forecast presented by Sportsman's Guide

Pheasant Hunting Forecast is presented by sportsman's Guide
COLORADO—MORE MOISTURE MEANS MORE PHEASANTS
Forecast: “I think it will be better than last year, which should equal good hunting opportunities. There are some areas that could be really good,” says Ed Gorman, small game manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, of the upcoming pheasant season.
 
As pheasant hunters of the high plains know all too well, Colorado has been emerging from a painful drought that stunted the growth of vegetative cover for nesting and brood-raising.
 
“Drought is the worst thing that happens on the high plains,” says Gorman. “We’re two years out of drought. So when you get normal or above-average moisture and you have good nesting habitat, which we did, things should be setting up really nicely for a good season.”
 
The best hunting, Gorman says, will occur in the northeast, the core of Colorado pheasant country. “Generally speaking the farther east you go, in terms of getting to that eastern edge of the state, is really the place to be. You’re talking Sedgwick County, Phillips County, Yuma County, Kit Carson County—those will probably be the really good ones. There’s a small area of southeast Logan County that may be really good.”
 
Yet even the secondary pheasant range in southern Colorado will be better than last year. “Probably not back recovered from severe drought, but they’re getting really close. Certainly the quail down there look to be very good, if not excellent.”
 
Gorman says it’s tough to say if this year will be better than the 10-year average. “There were a lot of bad years in that 10-year average, and there were a couple of really good ones. So that’s difficult to say.”
 
Gorman says he’ll post a detailed forecast, but not until late October, about two weeks before the Colorado season begins, after he’s heard from the people signing and inspecting walk-in areas. “What they’re seeing in the field is what I base a lot of that on.”
 
Field Notes: Small game and waterfowl hunters are no longer required to purchase permits to hunt properties enrolled in the Walk-In Access program​. ​The access fee was eliminated​ to offer even greater opportunities for hunters.​​
 
Season Dates: November 12, 2016 through January 31, 2017 (East of I-25); November 12, 2016 through January 1, 2017 (West of I-25) 
 
Daily Bag Limit: 3
 
Possession Limit: 9
 
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