North Dakota Pheasant Population Up 30%

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's pheasant population has increased by nearly one-third over the past year, thanks to a pleasant winter and favorable weather during the spring nesting season.

The estimated 30 percent increase in birds over 2014 mirrors increases in nearby states including South Dakota, where the pheasant population is up about 42 percent. North Dakota Game and Fish Wildlife Chief Jeb Williams says that could spread out hunting pressure, raising the prospects for an even more successful hunt this fall.

North Dakota's regular pheasant season opens Oct. 10 and continues through next Jan. 3.

Pheasant hunting is big business in North Dakota. More than 50,000 hunters go after upland game including pheasants in a typical year, with each of them spending an average of nearly $100 per day.