2026 PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON OUTLOOK
By Tell Judkins, Wildlife Biologist
Ring-necked pheasants remain a popular upland game species among Oklahoma hunters. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation monitors the pheasant population through two surveys: spring crow counts and summer brood surveys.
With few observations in general, these roadside surveys can have a wide degree of variability, but the consistency of the survey methodology over time allows biologists to interpret the information on a historical scale. Crow count data provide an index of the spring breeding population, and brood survey data provide insight on recruitment success for the year.
Traditionally Alfalfa, Beaver, Cimarron, Grant and Texas counties have had the highest pheasant numbers. In those five counties, spring crow surveys have been done since 1973 and brood surveys since 1980. In 1998, the surveys were expanded to 13 counties with the addition of Ellis, Garfield, Harper, Kay, Major, Noble, Woods, and Woodward counties (Figure 1).
The spring 2026 crow count survey showed a slight increase in number of calls heard per point over 2025 (Figure 2). Weather patterns throu spring and early summer were fairly mild with increased precipitation during the survey window. Index numbers for crow count and brood surveys remain well below the long-term average.
The August brood survey results showed a slight decrease in the statewide average (Figure 3). The five traditional counties were up slightly from 0.02 broods/mile in 2025 to 0.03 in 2026. The total number of pheasants observed was up from 44 in 2025 to 61 in 2026.
This year has seen the ups and downs that define Oklahoma’s weather. The 2025-26 season kicked off with about 57% of the state in some level of drought. As the year continued, weather patterns brought timely rains that led to excellent conditions for early summer nesting. By July, drought had increased to about 65% of Oklahoma, rapidly intensifying during August to 100% of the state being in some level of drought — where it has remained since (Figure 4).
A "Super El Niño" forecast was expected to bring precipitation this past summer, but it wasn’t until the remnants of Hurricane Polo in late September that the state saw some relief from extreme drought. As of mid-October, 100% of the state remains in some level of drought and about 70% of the state is experiencing severe, extreme or exceptional drought levels (Figures 4-5). Current climate models forecast the current Super El Niño to peak in November, then begin shifting back to more normal conditions by spring.
Pheasant hunters this season will likely find pockets of pheasants in fair numbers in areas with good habitat.
2026 Pheasant Hunting Season Information
Pheasant season will open Dec. 1, 2026 and will run through Jan. 31, 2027. Hunters are allowed to harvest two cock pheasants daily. Open areas include Alfalfa, Beaver, Cimarron, Garfield, Grant, Harper, Kay, Major, Noble, Osage, Texas, Woods and Woodward counties; and the portions of Blaine, Dewey, Ellis, Kingfisher, and Logan counties north of State Highway 51. For additional resources and tips, go to wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/resources/pheasant.
Additionally, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new rules in 2025 that require nonresidents accessing certain Oklahoma public hunting and fishing areas to check in and out of that area via the GoOutdoorsOK app or GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com. Nonresident game bird hunters are also required to possess a Nonresident Game Bird Permit if hunting any game birds on any WMA in Oklahoma. For more detailed regulations and other information, consult the Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Guide online at wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/regs or in print wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
ODWC is asking out-of-state hunters traveling to Oklahoma this hunting season to inspect their hunting dogs carefully for injury, open wounds or fly larvae before entering the state, especially if traveling from or through New World screwworm (NWS) Infested Zones or Adjacent Surveillance Zones.
Ultimately, remember the outdoors is always open! Get out there, work some ground, trust your dogs, and make a memory enjoying Outdoor Oklahoma!
