Upland Game Brood Survey

North Dakota’s roadside surveys conducted in late July and August indicate pheasant numbers are relatively the same as last year, while gray partridge and sharp-tailed grouse numbers were down.

Total pheasants observed (91.6 per 100 miles) are down 3% from last year and broods (11.4) per 100 miles are down 1%. The average brood size (5.1) is down 6%. The statewide number of pheasants observed per 100 miles is 48% above the 10-year average. The final summary is based on 285 survey runs made along 100 brood routes across North Dakota.

Observers in the northwest counted 14.7 broods and 115 pheasants per 100 miles, down from 20.8 broods and 164 pheasants in 2024. Average brood size was 4.3 chicks.

Results from the southeast showed 9.6 broods and 73 pheasants per 100 miles, up from 7.9 broods and 57 pheasants in 2024. Average brood size was 4.7 chicks.

Statistics from southwestern North Dakota indicated 14.8 broods and 125 pheasants per 100 miles, up from 13.8 broods and 119 pheasants in 2024. Average brood size was 5.8 chicks.

The northeast district, generally containing secondary pheasant habitat with lower pheasant numbers compared to the rest of the state, showed 4.9 broods and 37 pheasants per 100 miles, compared to 4.3 broods and 37 pheasants last year. Average brood size was 4.4 chicks.

Sharptails were down 38% statewide (12 sharptails per 100 miles), and 30% below the 10-year average. Brood survey results showed 2.1 broods per 100 miles and an average brood size of 4.4.

Partridge observed per 100 miles were down 26% (16 partridge per 100 miles). Observers recorded 1.8 broods per 100 miles, and 8.1 chicks per brood.

The grouse and partridge seasons open Sept. 13 and continue through Jan. 4, 2026.

The pheasant season opens Oct. 11 and continues through Jan. 4, 2026. The two-day youth pheasant hunting weekend, when legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 and younger can hunt statewide, is set for Oct. 4-5.