pheasant population

It could be one of the better harvest seasons for pheasants this fall as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources roadside survey is indicating an increase in the number of birds.

When hunters head out into the fields Saturday for the start of Minnesota's pheasant hunting season they should find more birds than last year.

Minnesota's pheasant population is up thanks to a mild winter followed by a warm spring, but it's still way below average. The Department of Natural Resources says its pheasant population index increased 68 percent from 2011.