Upland Bird Hunting Should Be Good for KVSH Area
- KVSH
- Aug 26
- 1 min read
Positive surveys and field reports point toward an optimistic outlook for Nebraska upland bird hunting seasons this fall.
Statewide pheasant counts during this year’s April rural mail carrier survey increased 83% compared to 2024 and saw increases in all six pheasant management regions.
According to surveys, the Panhandle and Southwest pheasant management regions should support some of the higher pheasant densities this fall. The Central, Northeast, and Sandhills management regions all saw increases this year compared to 2024.
The recent mild winter benefited northern bobwhite populations across much of the state, and results from spring and summer surveys show similar or increased numbers across the quail range.
According to surveys, southeastern and south-central regions support the state’s highest quail densities and should provide quality hunting opportunities.
Breeding populations of sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie-chickens appear to have overwintered well as lek observations this spring and rural mail carrier survey results indicate increases compared to 2024 in the Sandhills.
According to field reports, production has been good across most of the grouse range. Brood reports appear to be up from previous years, with most brood sizes being average to above average.
The Upland Outlook is based on field reports from biologists, surveys of game species abundance, regional habitat trends, and weather conditions that could affect populations. To view the complete outlook, detailed summaries of upland bird survey results and other upland hunting information, visit
