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Upland Bird Outlook 2026

Posted 8/28/26 (Fri)

The 2026 pheasant brood numbers were lower than last year. Compared with the 2025 survey, total pheasants per mile were lower (by 23%).

Compared with the previous 5-year average (2021 – 2025), total pheasants per mile were 32% higher. Compared with the previous 10-year average (2016-2025), total pheasants per mile were 26% higher.

Weather patterns have been mixed with last fall experiencing below average rainfall. Winter was fairly mild with little to no snow cover throughout. This summer has consisted of stretches of extreme heat and drought, punctuated by heavy rain events. Average brood sizes were lower than 2025 (5.7 chicks/brood) this year indicating below average chick survival. This was likely attributed to heavy moisture directly after the primary hatching period.

Prairie grouse (prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse) spring lek surveys showed an16% decrease in breeding males compared to counts last year (35% higher for prairie-chickens and 17% lower for sharp-tailed grouse). Due to fair nesting conditions and brood rearing conditions, we expect grouse chick survival to be similar to pheasant chick survival.

Habitat conditions are good this year with average precipitation in early-mid summer. Grass cover is average to good and food plots and pollinator plots are good to excellent.

Overall, pheasant hunting may be somewhat more challenging than last year, but there are still decent numbers of birds around. Prairie grouse hunting should be above average this year compared to the long-term averages. We continue to manage about 7,000 acres of CRP grassland, 477 acres of grain sorghum and 160 pollinator plots, many shelterbelts and over 80,000 acres of Walk-in Hunting lands.

Licenses are available on-line or by phone.