(Area) Pheasant season opens in Iowa on Saturday.
Bird counts are similar to last year. Here’s Bryan Hayes with the Iowa DNR. “Iowa experienced a mild winter last year while the spring temperatures were below normal. Iowa’s weather model predicted pheasant numbers would be relatively the same as last year. We kind of confirmed that with our roadside count.”
The statewide data shows about 20 birds per 30 mile route. “In 2021 we were at 20.4 birds statewide. In 2022 we were at 19.6, so virtually unchanged. If you liked what you saw last year, expect more of the same.”
Hayes admits some of the better hunting will likely come later in the season. “Anytime you get temperatures over 50 degrees,” Hayes says, “It’ll be really tough for the dogs to cover much ground and get into that heavy cover. Conditions are not going to be ideal to harvest a lot of birds today, but it’s just exciting to get started.”
Quail numbers have doubled from a year ago.
