The annual pheasant survey for the month of August had the highest statewide counts since 2015, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The average count was nearly 23 birds per route, a 15 percent increase over the last year. 

The biggest increases in Iowa came from the southwest, northeast, and northwest regions of the State, which grew by 146, 61, and 26 percent respectively. Southeast Iowa saw an increase of four percent since 2022, while the east-central portion saw a decrease of 29 percent. Numbers indicate the average number of birds counted on 30-mile routes in each region. 

Todd Bogenschutz, an upland wildlife research biologist for the DNR believes that based on these roadside counts, this year’s pheasant harvest could reach 400,000. Pheasant hunting for 2023 begins on October 21 with the youth season. To view the full pheasant survey report, click here.