An early opening for North Dakota’s pheasant season.
It opens Oct. 7th. That’s because the Legislature changed the law, saying the season will open no later than Oct. 12th. Normally, the season began the second Saturday in October.
The outlook?
"Pheasant hunters are going to notice a reduction in pheasant numbers," said North Dakota Game and Fish Assistant Wildlife Division chief Casey Anderson. "There's the tough winter, the drought and the reduced number of habitat acres. Those things piled on to each other start to add up."
Anderson said the numbers show about a 60 percent reduction in the number of pheasant broods.
Anderson said hunters will need to have some patience and perseverance to find the pheasants.
"Patience and walking boots," Anderson said. "The more spots you cover, the better off you'll be."
The daily limit is three birds, and the possession limit is 12.
The season closes Jan. 7, 2018.