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2015 Pheasant Season Summarized

by DC Staff


The number of pheasants taken last year in North Dakota was similar to 2014, according to statistics compiled by the state Game and Fish Department.

Last year, more than 85,000 hunters (up 9 percent) harvested nearly 590,000 roosters (up 0.4 percent). In 2014, 78,000 hunters took 587,000 roosters.

Counties with the highest percentage of pheasants taken by resident hunters in 2015 were Morton, 7.4 percent; Hettinger, 6.4; Grant, 5.8; Stark, 5.8; and McLean, 5.7.

Top counties for nonresident hunters were Hettinger, 20.3 percent; Bowman, 11.7; Divide, 6.8; Adams, 5.8; and Emmons, 5.1.

Annual pheasant season statistics are determined by a mail survey of resident and nonresident hunters.

In South Dakota, 65,000 residents and 82,000 nonresident hunters tallied 1.25 million birds, slightly more than the 2014 season.

South Dakota’s numbers, going into the season, were expected to be higher, but adverse weather in the early part of the season was blamed for keeping hunters at bay.