winter pheasant NDGF
Hunting pheasants, ruffed grouse, squirrels or rabbits offers opportunities to enjoy the Minnesota outdoors as winter begins.
“Winter is a fun time to get out in the crisp air and hunt small game,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “These hunts can be a lot like hikes with the added challenge of pursing some excellent table fare.”
The pheasant hunting season is open through Jan. 4, 2026. On Dec. 1, the daily bag limit increases to three roosters, with a possession limit of nine roosters. Pheasant numbers were up nearly 50% over last year and were 21% above the 10-year average, according to the DNR August Roadside Survey, available on the DNR pheasant hunting webpage (mndnr.gov/hunting/pheasant). The best places to find pheasants at this time of year are tall grass or cattail marshes. Hunters should remember to exercise caution around thin ice.
Grouse hunting season is also open through Jan. 4, 2026. Wintertime grouse hunters might find success during the “golden hour,” the last hour before sunset, when ruffed grouse move out of their snow roosts to feed.
There’s even more time for squirrels and rabbits in a season that stretches through Feb. 28, 2026. Winter is breeding season for squirrels, which means they are active and easier to find. And rabbit hunters tend to find the most success around thick cover like brush piles, thorn tangles and briars. This has been a banner year for cottontail rabbits, with populations at a 60-year high, according to the August Roadside Survey.
Fisher, martin and bobcat trapping opens Saturday, Dec. 13, so hunters should be aware of this season while in the woods. Hunters also can find regulations and complete bag limit information on the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/hunting). More information about how or where to hunt can be found on the DNR’s learn to hunt webpages (mndnr.gov/gohunting). Recorded webinars with tips on how to hunt pheasants, grouse, squirrels or rabbits are available in the webinar archive on the outdoor skills and stewardship page of the DNR’s website (mndnr.gov/discover).
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