Exciting News For Hunters As Wildlife Rebounds In Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted its roadside survey of animals for the 2025 fall season, and the population seems to be up across the board. We've got double the pheasant numbers and a lot more rabbits.

DNR Roadside Survey

The DNR does a roadside survey each year. They spot wildlife and record how many they've seen per 100 miles of driving. The pheasant numbers are up 50% over last year, and they are 21% higher than the 10-year average.

In 2024, the roadside survey spotted 51 pheasants. This year, there were 75 birds per 100 miles of roads driven. The largest increase in population was in the southeast region of Minnesota, but bird numbers were up in the other regions in south and central Minnesota.

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What Influences Bird Population

Weather and habitat greatly influence pheasant populations. Last winter was mild, and that helped the population rebound. The DNR does not expect this trend to continue, but for this year, the numbers are up for the pheasant hunting season, which begins on October 11.

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Cottontail Rabbit Numbers Highest In 6 Decades

During the roadside survey, the DNR spotted 15 rabbits per 100 miles. The long-term average for rabbits is 6 per 100 miles, so it's an exciting fall for rabbit hunters. The areas in the state with the most cottontail rabbits are the east central, southwest, and south central regions. Rabbit season begins on September 13th.