Statewide Iowa — (RI) — The results of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources survey show there will be plenty of pheasants available when the season opens in October.
DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz oversees the survey and says the numbers didn’t crater despite some rough winter and spring weather.
The August roadside survey showed an average of 17 pheasants per 30 mile route, down from 21 per route last year. But he says two areas caused the overall average to drop.
The west-central region saw an 18 percent increase in pheasants and the north-central region saw a 14 percent increase. He says seeing the roadside count numbers close to last year is a win for hunters.
The pheasant numbers have been building back up after several years of decline brought on by bad weather. While the birds will be available, he says the hunting conditions are going to make it more difficult to find them.
He says acres of standing corn make a great place for birds to hide.
He expects hunters to take around 200-thousand roosters again this year — but says that could be much higher if more hunters went out.
He says the number of birds taken could more than double if more hunters hit the fields.
The pheasant season will open up on October 26th.
