Statewide Iowa – The pheasant season is underway amidst a resurgence in the number of birds available and success by hunters. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says habitat is a key for bird numbers and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the main component.
The CRP program pays farmers to take some land out of regular crop production and it is planted with grasses and other cover crops. Weather is another factor in pheasant populations.
He says you can see the direct impact on the pheasant population since the change in weather.
Bogenschutz says increasing pheasant harvest would take a change in the farm policy.
The DNR will celebrate the 100th pheasant season next fall.
