Idaho Examiner: S.E. Idaho Pheasant"Common Sense News"

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S.E. Idaho Pheasant

Posted on: October 12, 2007

By
Dave Langston

This season might just be the one that will be remembered for some time. Pheasant populations seem to be thriving in parts of South East Idaho and gunners are anxiously waiting opening day. After harvesting 98,000 roosters in 2005, Idaho hunters eclipsed the 100,000 harvest mark last season and this season is looking even better.

“I have seen quite a few birds this season. I took my Brittany for a walk at my grandmothers and jumped a good number of birds, I am excited for this season’s opener,” says Shawn Sayer of Pocatello.

The Magic Valley boasts a good number of birds and has always out shined S.E. Idaho but this years crop of birds will give the Twin Falls area a run for it’s money.

Farmers are not clear cutting fields as often as in the past and are giving birds areas to hold up and take cover from predators. Idaho Fish and Game is also stocking aggressively and concentrating on the Sterling WMA near Springfield and Aberdeen.

Mild winters and spring seasons have also contributed to the population boom. While predator hunters have also played a key role in the comeback as coyotes have had the hammer lowered on them.

All this is good news for bird hunters looking to fill limits in the field. Don’t get too excited yet, with the West Nile Virus outbreak and the recent fires we still have much improvement but it looks like we are really on the right track.

Good areas to concentrate on this year are the Bonneville and Pebble Creek Ski area in the lower agricultural fields. The Portneuf River is always a good bet from McCammon to Inkom and don’t forget the Sterling WMA near Springfield.

The season starts October 20th – November 30th in Area 2 which is the S.E. Idaho area.

The Shoshone Bannock tribes of Fort Hall also has permits for sale and offers hunters a very unique opportunity to hunt some of Idaho’s best kept pheasant stomping grounds. It’s a must for hunters in the field day after day. Contact Fort Hall Indian Reservation at 208-238-3700 for more information.

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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

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