From all indications, the Iowa pheasant population is on the upswing. According to the Department of Natural Resources, the Hawkeye state had an average snowfall that was four inches below normal. This lower amount of snow suggests that a larger than normal number of hens, the limiting factor in hatches, survived the winter. Todd Bogenschutz, the upland game biologist for the Iowa DNR said, “the mild winter was definitely a plus, and I and thinking we are probably going to see some population gains this year.”
Bogenschutz said he has received many reports of pheasant overwintering success and early hatch pheasant broods. He went on to say, “Early hatches often indicate a good pheasant year. The early hatched broods, with chicks fully feathered and able to fly, are better able to avoid predators and withstand heavy summer rains.”
Before you start salivating, fellow pheasant hunters, remember the summer is early yet. We won’t have a final estimate until the August roadside survey. And rain averages for the spring were above average, which tends to have a negative impact on broods that did not hatch early. CONTINUE READING – http://www.heartlandoutdoors.com/heartland/story/iowa_pheasants_rebound_continues