Upland bird hunting prospects optimistic

Positive surveys and field reports point toward a more optimistic outlook for Nebraska upland bird hunting seasons this fall.

“Surveys conducted earlier this summer looked more promising entering the breeding season, and with improved habitat conditions, good production is expected,” said Bryan O’Connor, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Pheasant

Statewide, pheasant counts were up 19% during this year’s July rural mail carrier surveys and were near or exceeding five-year averages in all areas except the Sandhills.

Pheasant habitat is more isolated in eastern Nebraska, but where quality cover exists hunters should find good bird numbers. Portions of the Panhandle and southwest continue to support some of the highest pheasant numbers, but populations remain variable because of drought in recent years.

Northern bobwhite

The recent mild winter benefited northern bobwhite populations across much of the state, and numbers increased in five of six management regions. The current nesting season holds promise and could boost numbers even more, though populations are expected to remain below recent peak years.

According to surveys, southeastern and south-central regions support some of the state’s highest quail densities and should provide some of the better hunting opportunities.

Prairie grouse

The southeastern and extreme western parts of the Sandhills should offer the best hunting for greater prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed grouse. Summer moisture has improved habitat conditions and cover throughout much of the state’s prairie grouse range.

According to field reports, production appears to be average or slightly above this year. There is hope a year of good reproduction will increase populations following decreased populations due to drought.

Upland hunters should be aware the U.S. Department of Agriculture has authorized emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program lands in a few of Nebraska’s 93 counties, primarily in northwestern Nebraska. This could affect available cover and associated hunting opportunities on some CRP fields, including some open to public, walk-in hunting through Game and Parks’ Open Fields and Waters Program. For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Emergency Haying and Grazing.”

The Upland Outlook is based on field reports from biologists, surveys of game species abundance, regional habitat trends, and weather conditions that could affect populations. To view the complete outlook, detailed summaries of upland bird survey results and other upland hunting information, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/game/upland.

To find places to hunt, pick up the 2024-25 Nebraska Public Access Atlas at a Game and Parks office or wherever permits are sold. This publication displays all the publicly accessible lands in Nebraska and is available in several online versions at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/public-access-atlas.

The hunting season for pheasant, quail and partridge is Oct. 26 through Jan. 31, 2025. The prairie grouse season is Sept. 1 through Jan. 31, 2025.