Iowa Pheasant News
(PF)
2010 Iowa Pheasant Hunting Forecast
Sep. 13, 2010Forecast: No state is in need of some good pheasant news as much as Iowa, but it won't be this year. Coming off a record low year of just 74,017 hunters bagging 271,136 roosters, Iowa's statewide August roadside survey count showed a decrease of 30 percent from last year. Iowa hasn't been able to escape moisture, with the period from December of last year through this February as the snowiest period in state history, only to be followed up by a June through August stretch that was likely the wettest in state history. Mix in the previous years that haven't been good for pheasant production, and CRP acreage losses, and it's easy to see why Iowa pheasants have dropped to such historically low levels. Pheasant hunters not deterred by this news will find the highest concentration of roosters in northwest Iowa, where the roadside survey averaged 30 birds per route compared to 11 across the rest of the state. North central Iowa checks in as the next best option. As for the remainder of the state, pockets of good bird numbers may still be found in regions with exceptional habitat, according to Todd Bogenschutz, upland game Biologist/Farmbill coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Season Dates: October 30 through January 10, 2011 Daily Bag Limit: 3 Possession Limit: 12 Field Notes:Pheasants Forever has placed five Farm Bill Biologists in Iowa as part of its "Reload Iowa" campaign, a three-year statewide effort to improve 1 million acres of wildlife habitat on private and public land in the state. Pheasants Forever plans to establish more such positions across Iowa in the coming years.
Each year the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) uses a roadside survey to assess its upland game populations. The August Roadside Survey, as it is called, is conducted on sunny calm, mornings, with a heavy dew on the grass, between August 1st-15th of each year. Most upland wildlife, particularly pheasants, hate to be wet. On mornings with a heavy dew, hen pheasants bring their broods
Iowa Pheasants Face Hard Times - Aug. 04, 2009
Currently in progress, the DNR's annual August roadside pheasant count easily ranks as our most popular fish and wildlife survey. Although upcoming results of the spring nesting seasons have always been of great interest to Iowans, that interest may have never been higher than it is this summer.
Iowa Wildlife Habitat Hits First Jackpot from Diamond Conservation Fund - Jul. 15, 2009
Pheasants Forever and Diamond Jo Casinos announce the first distribution of grants from the Diamond Conservation Fund - totaling $7,750 - that will benefit five local wildlife habitat restoration and youth conservation education projects. Created by PF, funds for the unique Diamond Conservation Fund are provided by a designated group of slot machines located at the Diamond Jo Casino properties in Dubuque and Northwood, Iowa. Whenever a player hits the jackpot on one of the machines in the designated slot bank, Diamond Jo matches the jackpot with an equal donation to the Diamond Conservation Fund.
Nesting Forecast Points to Increase in Pheasant Numbers - Jun. 09, 2009
Has Iowa's sagging pheasant population hit bottom? Reviewing weather data from this past winter and spring, Department of Natural Resources upland wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz is cautiously optimistic. "Our pheasant population typically shows increases following mild winters and springs that are drier and warmer than normal. Pheasant numbers could increase 20-40 percent this year," he said.
PF Names O'Connor Director of Conservation Programs for Iowa - May. 13, 2009
Des Moines, Iowa - May 13 - Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever announce Matt O'Connor as the organization's new director of conservation programs for the state of Iowa. O'Connor has been with Pheasants Forever since 1990, serving as Pheasants Forever's regional wildlife biologist in northern Iowa until 2004 and most recently as the organization's habitat team coordinator.
Le Grand, Iowa Woman Wins 2009 Pheasants Forever/Chevy Truck Giveaway - Mar. 30, 2009
Saint Paul, Minn. - March 30 - Pheasants Forever announces Danielle Hotchkin of Le Grand, Iowa as the winner of the 2009 Pheasants Forever/Chevy Truck Giveaway. Hotchkin won a 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 4WD Extended Cab with a suggested retail value of nearly $35,000 after her Dad purchased her ticket to the Jasper County (Iowa) Chapter PF banquet.
Iowa PF Chapter Receives No Child Left Indoors National Award - Feb. 25, 2009
Saint Paul, Minn. - February 25 - Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recently announced the recipients of the second annual No Child Left Indoors® National Awards. The distinction is presented to one PF chapter and one QF chapter for their efforts in introducing youth to the outdoors and bringing along the next generation of hunters and conservationists. Chapters honored were the Sioux Prairie Chapter of PF based out of Sioux County, Iowa, and the Mid-MO Young Guns Chapter of QF, based out of Macon, Missouri.
Iowans Will Decide on Sustainable Natural Resource Funding in November 2010 - Feb. 20, 2009
Des Moines, Iowa - February 20 - Iowa voters will decide in November of 2010 whether to amend the state Constitution to set up a protected account to improve the state's water quality and water resources. The fund would also improve wildlife habitat, soil conservation, lake restorations, parks, and trails. This week, the Iowa Senate approved the idea with a 49-1 vote; the Iowa House passed it 82-14. The amendment now goes straight to voters. Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) join a host of other conservation organizations, hunters and anglers in support of the amendment's passage.
