The frequent rain we’ve recently had can not only have a negative effect on crop production and people’s attitudes.

It can also prevent an increase in pheasant population. DNR wildlife technician Jason Gritsch explains how precipitation affects pheasants, “The droughts of 2012 and 2013 actually helped our pheasant population, because whenever there’s 8.5 inches of rain in April and May, very seldom has our pheasant population ever increased. The weather does have an impact on our population as well as habitat.”

Gritsch said there has been a renewed interest among southeastern Iowa landowners to rebuild habitats for game birds like pheasant and quail. Gritsch says about the importance of pheasant population, “Many residents and nonresidents come to the state to hunt and so it’s very beneficial when we can increase the population and let people know that we’ve got birds available.” Gritsch says the DNR hopes to see an increase, as there is an expected dry period to come in the next few weeks. Gritsch says the dry weather is crucial for pheasants nesting.