By Gary Joiner
TFB Radio Network Manager
Word from the Texas Panhandle is there is an encouraging number of pheasants for this year’s hunting season that opens Dec. 2 in 37 counties.
State wildlife officials point to the western half of the Panhandle as the state’s main pheasant range, with Dallam County being the heart and soul of the range. Thirteen counties are considered to be top tier for supporting birds in the area.
“Texas’ main 13-county pheasant range had average rainfall this summer,” said Robert Perez, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Upland Game Bird Program leader, in a season outlook published by Pheasants Forever. “No drought is a good thing, and it is the number one factor that’s been bringing our birds back.”
Pheasant harvest reflects habitat conditions. Last year’s estimated harvest was about 28,000 pheasants compared to a low of about 18,000 birds in the drought of 2013-14.
“The trend for pheasants has been good over the past few years,” Perez said. “The drought leading up to 2012 and 2013 was catastrophic to habitat and reproduction. But 2014, 2015 and 2016, with decent rains but not too much moisture, we’re rebuilding years for Panhandle pheasants. We came into 2017 with decent precipitation, as well. Our pheasants are not yet up to those pre-drought levels, but there are definitely birds.”
The Texas general pheasant season runs Dec. 2-31. The daily bag limit is three cocks, with a possession limit of six cocks.
An Upland Game Bird Endorsement is required.