The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that pheasant season opens across the Lower Peninsula Tuesday, Oct. 20. Prospects are similar to last year.

“Hunters who found birds last year are likely to have similar results hunting in the same places,” said DNR upland game bird specialist Al Stewart. “As always, the majority of the birds will be found on private land. Hunting in good habitat—especially in habitat that has been managed for pheasants—is the key.”

Results of the summer rural mail carrier brood survey were strikingly similar to last year. Mail carriers reported observing .14 pheasant broods per 10 carrier days in 2009, statistically the same as the .15 reported in 2008. Similarly, the average brood size observed in 2009 was 4.5 chicks per brood; compared to 4.4 in 2008.

Hunters are invited to report their results by joining the cooperators’ program, reporting their effort and flush rates. For details, visit the DNR’s hunting Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrhunting.

Pheasant season runs through Nov. 14. It reopens in select areas of southern Michigan Dec. 1 and runs through Jan. 1. Check the 2009 Michigan Hunting and Trapping Guide for details.

The daily bag limit for pheasants is two roosters with a possession limit of four.

In addition, quail season opens Tuesday, Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 14 in selected southern Michigan counties. Check the digest for counties open to quail hunting. The limit is five daily with a possession limit of 10.