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.
Snow, more snow, howling winds, and seemingly endless days of sub-zero wind chills. After nearly a month of the stuff, a lot of folks -- especially those in the northern half of the state -- are beginning to use the phrase Long, hard winter.
Private Lands Trees and Shrubs Vital for State Wildlife Habitat - Feb. 13, 2007
Planting native trees and shrubs or maintaining forested portions on Iowa's private lands are key ingredients for successful and healthy wildlife populations.
Plenty Of Native Trees, Shrubs Available For Spring Delivery - Jan. 30, 2007
More than 7 million trees and shrubs were planted last year in Iowa on roughly 12,700 acres for conservation efforts on private and public lands, according to Iowa DNR statistics.
New Director Begins at DNR - Jan. 12, 2007
Richard Leopold, a recognized leader in natural resources and agriculture issues in Iowa, assumes the position of Iowa Department of Natural Resources director today.
2007 National Pheasant Fest Comes to Des Moines, Jan. 19-21 - Jan. 10, 2007
Mark your calendars for 2007 National Pheasant Fest, Jan. 19-21, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, and be sure to include a visit to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources while you are there.
DNR Considers Habitat/Hunter Access Program on Private Lands - Jan. 09, 2007
The Wildlife Bureau of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is working to determine if Iowa landowners would be interested in a Habitat Access Program and if local conservation groups, such as county conservation boards or soil and water conservation districts, could deliver the program.
Woodland Wildlife Habitat Improvement - Jan. 03, 2007
A traditional woodland improvement practice, crop tree release thinning, is an important tool for improving wildlife habitat in woodlands.
Committee on Sustainable Funding for Natural Resources to Meet Jan. 3 - Dec. 26, 2006
The advisory committee directed by the Iowa Legislature to explore sustainable funding for Iowa's natural resources will conduct its next meeting on Wednesday, January 3, 2007. Discussions will begin at 10 a.m., at the Des Moines Botanical Center, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, in Des Moines.
