DENVER, Colo. - Colorado hunters should enjoy some of the best pheasant hunting in the state's recent history when they take to the fields Nov. 13 for opening day of the 2010-11 pheasant season.

Pheasant populations throughout Colorado's Eastern Plains have soared to near-record levels during the last two years, resulting in back-to-back banner seasons for hunters. Wildlife managers say the recent population surge of the popular, ring-necked, game bird is due to ideal weather conditions that have improved nesting habitat and ground cover across most of the state's core pheasant range.