BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — There will be fewer birds about when North Dakota’s pheasant hunting season opens Saturday, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be fewer hunters.
State Wildlife Chief Jeb Williams says weather plays a big role when it comes to turnout, particularly during the season’s opening weekend when a good percentage of pheasant hunters hit the field.
The weather forecast is shaping up nicely. The National Weather Service reports a chance of snow showers in the northwest early Saturday, but otherwise no precipitation and seasonal temperatures.
Pheasant numbers have dropped 10 percent from last year due to a reduction in habitat and dry early spring conditions in the southwest. But upland game management supervisor Aaron Robinson doesn’t expect that to hurt hunter interest.
The season runs through next Jan. 8.
As North Dakota’s pheasant hunting season opens Oct. 8, hunters are reminded to exercise safety in the field and be cautious on roadways, as farmers and ranchers are currently busy with fall farm duties.
With hunters traveling roadways and farmers harvesting crops, road traffic is busy at times, even on rural gravel roads. With that in mind, hunters are asked to move to the side of the road to allow wide farm vehicles to pass, and to park their vehicles in a place that will not block the roadway.
In addition, hunters traveling to southwest North Dakota should be aware of a much publicized protest occurring along roadways in Morton and Sioux counties.
