BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A state wildlife official says the spring pheasant population in North Dakota is up 10 percent.

Stan Kohn is with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Kohn tells KXMC-TV the number of roosters heard crowing statewide is up.

Kohn says the increase is due to an improved pheasant production year last spring and a mild winter. He says the higher numbers will lead to a nice breeding population. He also says recent rains have helped nesting habitats and are a positive indicator for high populations in the fall.

The department will run production surveys for all upland game birds beginning in mid-July.

By the end of August, Kohn says they should have a better idea of what the fall pheasant population will look like.

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Information from: KXMB-TV, http://www.kxnet.com