Good news for Iowa hunters. Pheasant numbers in the state are rising, with the population up noticeably again this year, according to Chad Dolan, Fisheries Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, at Lake Darling. The population is up 37% over last year, highest numbers statewide since 2008 and the highest in southeast Iowa in a decade.

Quail numbers are up as well, to the highest level in 21 years. Hunting season for both pheasant and quail opens October 31st. For pheasant there is also a youth season that runs October 24th and 25th.