December to bring pheasant season to Oklahoma
Drought relief and the most mild summer temperatures recorded in years have improved upland habitat this year, and that's good news for pheasants. Brood count surveys showed an increase of about 20 percent from last year, which should improve hunting opportunities for sportsmen headed to the field for the Dec. 1 pheasant season opener. Brood count surveys take place in August. They help biologist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation determine how many young pheasants survived the summer. "These brood count surveys are the primary means we use to help us understand the annual population status of pheasant and to give us an idea of what the hunting season may be like," said Scott Cox, upland game bird biologist for the Wildlife Department. "And thankfully, the results are up this year." Biologists attribute the improved brood count survey results to better available habitat thanks to ...