Iowa’s estimated pheasant population is the highest it has been since 2008. Wes Gould is a Conservation Officer with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources serving Washington County and Keokuk County. He says the DNR estimates the population by doing roadside counts on the same 30 mile route that’s been taken for the last 30 years. This year 24 birds were spotted, up from 7 last year.

The head count is done in the morning when pheasant’s leave tall grass to dry their feathers. Gould says this increase is likely due to the fact we’re no longer in a drought and morning dew conditions have been optimal.

The state’s pheasant population has dropped over the years. According to data from the DNR, there was an average of 56 pheasants spotted along the 30 mile routes in southeast Iowa in 1994.

Iowa’s youth pheasant season is scheduled for October 18th and 19th, while the regular season will run from October 25th through January 10th.