Pheasant hunters in the Hawkeye State are looking at a fall hunting season comparable to last year, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
A story at The Outdoor Wire revealed there has been a population decline in the south-central and southeast corners of the state, but an August statewide roadside survey indicated 17 birds per 30-mile stretch. That’s down from 21 per route last year, the report said.
The good news is that, according to the story, the 2019 roadside index is “nearly identical to 2008, when hunters harvested almost 400,000 roosters.” That is a lot of ringnecks in the bag.
However, the story quoted Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the DNR, who cast a shadow with the prediction that the state harvest may be closer to 200,000 birds, and he blamed that partly on lack of hunters. In 2008, the state saw 86,000 pheasant hunters in the field, but this year the state expects only about 50,000 wingshooters working the fields and pheasant covers.
The biologist acknowledged that the state has the bird population to produce nearly 400,000 harvested birds, but the hunters do not appear ready to turn out.
Shotgunners looking for a chance at pheasants might check out prospects online.
Meanwhile, the story noted, Iowa’s quail population is down 36 percent from last year.
