Outdoors Angle: 2022 Pheasant Outlook

The Flag Outdoors Expert Steve Carney has your weekly Outdoors Angle right here!

     The pheasant outlook for this Fall has been a mixed bag of theories in both the Dakota's and Minnesota. I have seen conflicting reports of either better numbers or average numbers according to roadside counts in August. In reality, we never know the true story as the crop fields are still standing holding pheasants which are never seen. The true evidence will emerge as the crop harvest begins and the birds are more exposed and don't have the standing crops as their refuge.

     We had a very wet Spring and there is evidence there was a late hatch as the first hatch was unsuccessful in many regions. Rarely is the Spring weather perfect for bird reproduction as there are always weather hiccups. Also farmers have begun harvesting hay fields in areas that had CRP which is an emergency type of thing and the pheasants are second in priority.

     For decades my strategy has been to avoid the cliche areas of the Dakota's and strike out for the more obscure areas that hold less birds. There is less hunting pressure in these areas and it's easier to get permission on lesser known areas than the well known areas that get hit hard especially by non-residents.

     One tip for obtaining permission is to hunt with one or two buddies and stay away from the large groups. It's easier to obtain permission with one or two hunters than a suburban full of dogs and hunters. Been there, done that!

Steve Carney is The Flag WZFG Outdoors expert. He can be heard every Thursday morning at 8:05 on AM 1100 and 92.3 FM WZFG. Check out his weekly podcast on am1100theflag.com and hear his Outdoors Angle reports every Friday on AM 1100 and 92.3 FM WZFG. You can also visit stevecarneyoutdoors.com for more information.