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Pheasant numbers up almost 50%

Pheasant numbers in the 2025 Minnesota August Roadside Survey were up nearly 50% from 2024 and 21% above the 10-year average, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“Our milder winter likely helped the overwinter survival of hens, and the drier and warmer spring created better conditions for nesting and brood-rearing relative to last year,” said Steven Woodley, acting upland game research scientist.

This year’s statewide pheasant index was 75 birds per 100 miles of roads driven, compared to 51 in 2024. Pheasant numbers increased in every region.

Compared to 2024, pheasant numbers increased the most in the southeast region (89%), followed by the southwest (86%), east central (82%), south central (40%), central (33%), and west central (19%) regions.

Pheasant numbers are also above their 10-year averages in every region within the pheasant range. The regions with the highest indices include the southwest (152 birds per 100 miles), south central (82 birds per 100 miles), and west central (76 birds per 100 miles).