(Sorry! Difficult to copy image. couldn't fit or connect.)

Ring-necked Pheasant:

The total pheasant index increased by 10% in 2023 (53.3 birds/100 mi) compared to 2022 (48.3

birds/100 mi;). Indices of hens, roosters, and broods also increased (20%, 22%, and

13%, respectively) compared to 2022. The number of chicks per brood (5.0) and broods per

100 hens (92.1) declined slightly compared to 2022. The total number of pheasants, hens,

roosters, and broods per 100 miles all exceeded their 10-year averages, but the index of broods per 100

hens was slightly below the 10-year average. The number of chicks per brood in 2023 (5.0) was slightly

greater than the 10-year average (4.7). Though most indices of pheasants remain below the

long-term average the number of broods per 100 hens in 2023 (92.1) is near the long-term

average (89.7). The index of chicks per brood in 2023 (5.0) is sligh

tly less than the long-term

average (5.6). Collectively, this suggests good nesting and brood-rearing success in 2023.

Despite the increase state-wide, trends in the pheasant index varied greatly among regions. The

pheasant index exhibited triple-digit increases in the Southwest region, where the index grew 101%.

The pheasant index exhibited a more modest increase in the West Central region (38%). Indices in the

Central, East Central, South Central, and Southeast regions decreased by 39%, 63%, 11%, and 50%,

respectively. Pheasant indices remain well below their long-term averages in all regions except the

Southwest, but they are near or above their ten-year averages except for the East Central and Southeast

regions. The Southwest (116.8 birds/100 mi) and West Central (63 birds/100 mi) regions had the highest

indices, followed by the South Central region (54.5 birds/100 mi). These regions should provide the best

hunting opportunities in the state.

Gray Partridge:

The 2023 range-wide gray partridge index (4.5 birds/100 mi) was greater than 2022 (3.8 birds/100 mi)

and the 10-year average (2.4 birds/100 mi). The partridge index remains below the long-term average

(-65%). Partridge are generally rare throughout the state but may be locally abundant. Gray partridge

appear to have benefited from consecutive dry years in parts of their range. In 2023, the Northwest

(14.9 birds/100 mi) region had the greatest number of partridge observed, while the Southwest

(7.6 birds/100 mi), South Central (4.8 birds/100 mi), and Southeast (6.1 birds/100 mi) had more modest

index values. These regions should provide the best opportunities for harvesting gray partridge.

NOTE: I'll try to update with ruffed,sharptail grouse info.