Start of Minnesota 2025-2026 season countdown

The five stages of grief:
  • Denial: Shock, disbelief, panic, or confusion
  • Anger: Blaming yourself or others
  • Bargaining: Feeling guilty and asking "If only I had done more"
  • Depression: Feeling tired, hopeless, or helpless
  • Acceptance: Accepting your loss and being ready to move forward
 
I have seen and heard a lot of pheasants the past couple days while turkey hunting, both roosters and hens.

If we get some decent nesting/reproduction in June, this upcoming season will be just as good as last season, maybe even better.

These mild snowless winters are probably causing little to no winter mortality.
 
Not gonna start a new thread about this but the state legislature made a big change to deer hunting this week that may affect hunters of birds here.

The shotgun zone will be eliminated starting in 2026. The entire state will be open for rifles to hunt deer with a centerfire cartridge. There is a stipulation that counties can prohibit it on their own accord though, if they follow a set process and their county board votes to do it. My guess is that most counties will not other than a couple of more populated ones. Olmsted county (Rochester) might enact a rifle ban.

Just something to keep in mind if you intend to hunt pheasants during the firearms deer season. Now every Joe Schmoe out there in prime pheasant country can hunt deer with a long range rifle.
 
I am a deer hunter. Not a fan of doing away with the shotgun zone. But it is what it is.

My concern is unethical people who might see a dog and not see the hunter and take a shot at the dog. Sounds awful, but we all know there are people with low ethics and/or immaturity.

Obviously, there is a greater risk of stray bullets too, but I'm less concerned about that.

Around sunset is a different matter. I always wear a lot of orange when bird hunting (and it is required during deer season). Some don't and stick to just the hat. Might be worth considering wearing more for those who normally don't. To be clear, I am talking about a greater risk of someone seeing movement far away and not seeing the orange and taking a shot. Some people have better eyesight than others.

If they ever change the starting time for birds to be closer to sunrise, that would be another thing to watch out for.

I view all the risks above as very low. But they aren't zero.
 
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Limitless said:
Some don't and stick to just the hat.
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I'm not sure if you meant this "during the deer firearms season" or outside of it. Rocking just an orange hat isn't legal during any deer firearms season. You need at least 50% orange above the waist.

I have a friend who was verbally warned that his standard upland vest AND an orange hat still wasn't enough a couple years ago.

The area I deer and pheasant hunt is heavily hunted during the deer firearms season. I wouldn't even consider pheasant hunting it during those 9 days in November.

I hate how there's so many dang deer seasons nowadays. That's another topic though.
 
gim said:
I'm not sure if you meant this "during the deer firearms season" or outside of it. Rocking just an orange hat isn't legal during any deer firearms season. You need at least 50% orange above the waist.
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I am saying some people do not follow the law on that rule.

gim said:
I have a friend who was verbally warned that his standard upland vest AND an orange hat still wasn't enough a couple years ago.
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I know. It sucks that 99% of the vests sold have brown on the back.

gim said:
I hate how there's so many dang deer seasons nowadays. That's another topic though.
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Heh
 
I may be in the minority here, but I'll give the deer hunters their week and stay out of the way. No way I'm pheasant hunting with dogs when the blaze army is out
Especially if they are going to centerfire rifles state wide.
 
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JLP said:
I may be in the minority here, but I'll give the deer hunters their week and stay out of the way. No way I'm pheasant hunting with dogs when the blaze army is out
Especially if they are going to centerfire rifles state wide.
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Same. 9 days in November is paltry compared to 2.5 months.

Plus, I deer hunt so I'm already in my stand during that time frame lol
 
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I recommend as many pheasant hunters as possible stay out of the fields as much as possible at all times during the season. Just a personal recommendation. ;)
 
I love to hunt pheasants I'm from PA but I have a trip I'm planning to Grand rapids Minnesota for Grouse and woodcock I'd like to train a young puppy..
I like the PM someone from Minnesota that hunts Grouse and woodcock North and possibly a good area I should go to..
Of course what's the best weeks to be out there I'm planning on the 2nd or 3rd week of October or the 3rd or 4th week..
Any help would make my trip a lot better I'm excited to leave PA it's my first trip out of the state at 72 years young LOL.
God bless Jim
 
Second half of October seems to be a good time to hunt ruffs. The leaves are mostly gone, and the temps shouldn't be too warm anymore. I would avoid firearms deer season in November.

The season technically starts in mid September but it's like a jungle with all the bugs, leaves, and warm temps. Some people go right away but it seems more like suffering than fun at that point.
 
@Jim K - One thing I will add is to keep the dog close. The wolves alive now, not having been hunted/trapped, do not have a fear of humans. That doesn't mean you will be in danger, but they don't seem to care if a hunter is 40-50 yards away, and you don't want your dog 40-50 yards out and have them run into wolves. I had 2 run-ins last year, and these were further south than where you will be.
 
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