Statewide Iowa – Iowa is in the middle of its 100th pheasant season this year. Iowa DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says the sport took off quickly and was very popular in the early decades.
Bogenschutz says the season used to open in November, and that led to some scheduling conflicts. It was set to open on Veteran’s Day one year and that raised a concern.
Football had become popular as well, and that created another scheduling concern during the era where coach Forest Evashevski had taken the Hawkeyes to two Rose Bowls.
He says that the school was worried some fans would be chasing birds in the cornfields instead of watching the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
Iowa won that game 33 to nothing over Minnesota and the Floyd trophy. Hunter numbers dropped off in the 70’s and 80’s as farming changes led to drops in bird numbers. Numbers have been rebounding and Bogenschutz expects this 100th pheasant season will see a lot of success once it is complete in January.
