(Lewis) Iowa’s 2026 pheasant hunting season opens Saturday, October 31, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources expects a strong season. The department’s August statewide survey found the second-highest pheasant population since 2015.
John Lorenzen with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says pheasant numbers are highest in northwest, north-central, and west-central Iowa.
Pheasant hunting hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a daily limit of three rooster pheasants. The daily limit for quail is eight birds.
Lorenzen reminds hunters that safety is a top priority. He says the leading cause of pheasant hunting incidents is hunters not being seen.
Hunters are required to wear at least one item of external clothing that is solid blaze orange and covers at least 50 percent of its surface area. Acceptable items include a hat, cap, vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt, shirt, or coveralls.
