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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The State Game & Fish Department says the spring pheasant population index is up slightly from last year.

Upland Game Management Supervisor Aaron Robinson says the number is up about 2 percent statewide. Numbers in the southeast were down from last year compared to other regions from the west to central area, which were up.

Biologist Doug Leier says that the crowing counts focus on the spring population of pheasants and grouse. He said they only count what made it through the winter. 

Leier stated that there is still sometime before they can know what numbers will be present for the fall.

Robinson says biologist will begin their count by mid-July that will lead to a more precise estimate of fall population.