Forecast: Oklahoma pheasant hunters can expect to see more pheasants than they did last year. According to August brood count surveys across 13 Oklahoma counties, the number of broods is up 53 percent over last year and the total number of pheasants up 44 percent, according to Kyle Johnson, quail restoration biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Oklahoma pheasants suffered from drought in recent years. But “consecutive years of favorable nesting season weather—cooler nesting season temperatures and ample rainfall—have created good to excellent nesting and brooding habitat,” says Johnson. Moreover, winter survival has been good for lack of severe winter weather.
Even though the upcoming season will surpass recent years, it still won’t measure up to the 1990s, when more than 50,000 roosters were shot. About 34,000 pheasants were harvested last year.
Best bets for pheasant hunters this year are areas of suitable habitat in Beaver, Grant, and Noble counties, says Johnson. “In addition, Texas and Grant counties generally provide fair to good pheasant hunting during years of higher pheasant numbers.” Ellis and Cimarron counties are open to pheasant hunting but generally have few birds. This year will be no exception.
Field Notes: Oklahoma is developing a private land walk-in access program similar to that available in other states, such as Kansas. Unfortunately, the program won’t be ready in time for the 2016 season.
Season Dates: December 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017
Daily Bag Limit: 2
Possession Limit: 4 after opening day
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