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Aug. 22, 2024Des Moines, Iowa |  By: Jeremy Werner

Iowa releases latest pheasant hunting numbers

a pheasant

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa’s pheasant hunters had a banner year in 2023, bagging more than 590,000 roosters—the highest total since 2007.

The 62% increase in harvest was driven by a strong pheasant population and a 32% jump in hunter numbers.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, over 83,600 hunters pursued pheasants in the state last fall, nearly returning to mid-2000s levels.

Drought conditions and mild winters contributed to strong nesting success and survival rates, leading to robust bird numbers.

Although this year’s survey, which was completed on Aug. 15, is expected to show a slight population decline due to spring flooding, hunters can still anticipate good bird numbers across much of northern Iowa when results are released in early September.

Quail harvests were up 42%, while rabbit and squirrel numbers saw mixed results.