Iowa’s pheasant population typically shows increases following mild winters with springs that are dryer and warmer than normal. While last winter was average to below average snowfall, spring was wetter than normal, with May coming in as the eighth wettest in 152 years of records.
Given the statewide information, the weather model is predicting pheasant populations will likely be lower for the 2024 hunting season.
“I expect there to be regional differences in the population this fall,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR. “Our best counts will still likely be in the northern and central regions, but likely lower counts in the southeast and south-central regions. With the severe cold and snow in south central and southeast regions, quail numbers will likely be the same or lower than last year, but perhaps higher in the southwest region.”
This prediction is based on weather data, Bogenschutz said, and it can be wrong. The DNR’s August roadside survey is the best gauge of what upland populations will be this fall. The survey is conducted between Aug. 1 – 15, and the results will be posted on the DNR webpage www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey around Sept. 15.
