Annual August roadside survey also includes other species, with the cottontail rabbit index similar to last year
The Minnesota pheasant index is up nearly 20% in the 2026 Minnesota August Roadside Survey, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“The increase in the pheasant index across the state and within several regions is good news for pheasant hunters this fall,” said Steven Woodley, DNR senior wildlife research biologist. “Our warmer winter likely helped the overwinter survival of hens, and the drier and warmer spring and summer created better conditions for nesting and brood-rearing relative to last year.”
This year’s pheasant index was 90 birds per 100 miles of roads driven, compared to 75 birds in 2025. Pheasant indices increased in the west central, central, and south central regions by 74%, 25%, and 17%, respectively. The west central and southwest regions both had pheasant indices above 130 birds per 100 miles and should provide the best pheasant hunting opportunities, though the south central and central regions should also offer good opportunities. In contrast, pheasant indices decreased in the southeast, east central and southwest regions by 51%, 29% and 15%, respectively.
Observers counted more broods, which generally bodes well for pheasant numbers. There were 93 broods per 100 hens, an increase from 82 broods per 100 hens in 2025. Those who were observing counted an average of four chicks per brood, the same as in 2025.
“The increase in brood numbers for a second year in a row is welcomed after their decline in 2024 due to wet spring conditions,” Woodley said.
Weather and habitat are the main influences on Minnesota’s pheasant population trends. Weather causes annual fluctuations in pheasant numbers, while habitat drives long-term population trends. This year’s median hatch date of June 11 was about a week earlier than last year and the 10-year average.
The Minnesota pheasant hunting season opens 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Pheasant hunting areas
Many publicly owned lands are open to hunting, as are private lands enrolled in the state’s Walk-in-Access program. Hunters can use the Minnesota DNR’s online mapping tools to find wildlife management areas by accessing the WMA finder and the Minnesota DNR Recreation Compass to locate public hunting land and private lands enrolled in the Walk-In Access program, including updates on the condition of specific properties.
Habitat factors
Suitable pheasant habitat fluctuates in response to agricultural conservation program enrollment, such as in the Conservation Reserve Program. Habitat set-aside programs, and especially the CRP, play a large role in providing habitat for pheasants in Minnesota.
The CRP, authorized under the federal Farm Bill, pays farmers to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and restore vegetation that reduces soil erosion, improves water quality, and provides habitat for wildlife and pollinators.
From 2025 to 2026, there were roughly 42,000 fewer acres of private lands in Minnesota enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. There were no changes in the number of private lands enrolled in the Reinvest in Minnesota program; however, public WMAs managed by the Minnesota DNR did increase by about 13,000 acres from 2025. Additionally, private lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (a different program than the CRP) increased by about 2,000 acres compared to 2025. Overall, there was a net loss of about 22,500 acres of protected wildlife habitat compared to 2025.
Cottontail rabbit numbers higher than in the past 60 years
The 2026 roadside survey report also includes data for eastern cottontail rabbits, gray partridge, mourning doves, sandhill cranes, white-tailed deer and white-tailed jackrabbits. One highlight for these other species is rabbit numbers.
The cottontail rabbit index (14 rabbits per 100 miles) was similar to 2025 (14.5 rabbits per 100 miles) but exceeded the 10-year average (seven rabbits per 100 miles) and the long-term average (six rabbits per 100 miles). The southwest region had the highest cottontail index (24 rabbits per 100 miles), followed by the east central (22.4 rabbits per 100 miles), central (20.6 rabbits/100 miles), and south central (14.6 rabbits/100 miles).
“Cottontail rabbit numbers are great again this year, and should provide good opportunities for hunters, especially in the Southwest region,” Woodley said.
Additional resources
The full report, which includes data for other surveyed species, along with a map of pheasant hunting prospects and information on hunting regulations and bag limits are available on the Minnesota DNR pheasant hunting webpage.