Iowa Pheasant Season Begins Oct. 25
Source: www.iowadnr.gov
Published: Oct. 14, 2008
DES MOINES - For Iowa pheasant hunting enthusiasts, the most exciting day of the year is almost here. The 2008 Iowa Pheasant Season begins Saturday, October 25. Opening day for this year's special two-day youth pheasant hunt is Saturday, October 18.
From all perspectives, the annual pheasant opener is Iowa's Outdoor Sporting Event of the Year. With an estimated 100,000 ring-neck enthusiasts taking to the fields, nothing else compares to the rich tradition and camaraderie with this annual event.
There's good reason for all the excitement. Few thrills can compare to the explosive, heart pounding flush of a cackling rooster. And what outdoor happening can equal the sight of a good bird dog suddenly slamming on point?
As is the case with all species of upland game birds, pheasant populations are subject to extreme cycles of boom and bust. The boom cycles are what hunters live for. By contrast, the fall is ruined when numbers crash. This year, Iowa hunters will find pheasant populations somewhere in between those extremes. Statewide bird numbers have declined by about a third from last season. An extremely long snowy winter followed by spring flooding resulted in overall poor production. The only exception occurred in northwestern Iowa where birds were largely exempt from spring flooding. In that region, pheasant numbers actually increased over last season ---- easily making Northwest Iowa the brightest spot in this year's pheasant hunting forecast.
"Although wildlife habitat is always a critical issue, this year's pheasant hunting outlook is totally weather related," says DNR Pheasant Biologist, Todd Bogenschutz. "Pheasants suffered a double whammie from the weather this year, and numbers are down. Pheasant populations are extremely dynamic. Given the circumstances [of weather], this is what we know will happen. If weather cooperates in the future, birds will spring back. That's just how it's going to work.
"I think hunters need to keep in mind that Iowa will still offer some of the nation's best pheasant hunting," adds Bogenschutz. "This year, Iowa hunters will still have the possibility of bagging a limit of roosters in every single county of the state. The big difference is that this season hunters will have to put in more leg work or may rely more heavily on their dog's nose. In most places, hunters won't be seeing flocks of 50 or 100 birds getting into the air. But hunters who put in their time will still see roosters."
Regardless of how many roosters are actually lurking in your personal pheasant hunting hot spot, opening weekend success will be aided or hindered by two all important, make or break factors --- weather conditions and corn harvest.
For upland bird hunters, rain and excessive winds spell disaster. By contrast, fair skies and a light breeze all but guarantee roast pheasant for Sunday dinner. As far as the opening day weather goes, we'll just have to wait and see. After all, this is Iowa.
The status of this year's crop harvest is easier to predict. Most of the state is currently running at least two weeks behind average on corn harvest. My guess is that, when the October 25 opener finally arrives, at least half of this year's corn crop will still be standing in the field. If that happens, it will have at least some negative impact on opening weekend success.
The brighter side of the coin is that standing corn will provide tens of thousands of acres of temporary pheasant refuge. As the crop harvest continues, those diminishing fields will insure a steady and dependable supply of naive, yet-to-be-hunted roosters in the weeks ahead. For resident hunters who tromp the uplands until the bitter end, a somewhat slower start in October could lead to increased opportunities when the winter snow flies.
Regardless of how things actually shake out for this year's opening day, Iowa hunters can still expect plenty of excitement during the 2008 season.
Pheasant Hunting Safety Tips
Wear plenty of blaze orange colored clothing. To hunt upland game birds, hunters must wear at least one of the following articles of visible, external apparel with at least 50 percent of its surface area solid blaze orange in color: hat, cap, vest, coat, jacket, sweatshirt, shirt or coveralls. The more blaze orange a hunter wears the less chance they have of being injured.
- Develop a hunting plan outlining how the hunt will take place and each person's role in the hunt, and stick to the plan.
- Know the zone of fire in front of each hunter and stay within the zone.
- Check with the landowner to see if any other hunters will be on the property.
- Identify the target and what is beyond the target.
- Talk to each other during the hunt
Story By Lowell Washburn
• More Iowa News • More State Wildlife News • Iowa Forum BoardReader Comments
0 Comments on Iowa Pheasant Season Begins Oct. 25
