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Nov. 26, 2024Des Moines, Iowa |  By: Jeremy Werner

Iowa DNR says Thanksgiving pheasant hunting is a popular tradition

pheasant

DES MOINES, Iowa - Pheasant hunting remains a cherished Thanksgiving holiday tradition for Iowans, and this year’s forecast suggests prime conditions for hunters heading to the fields.

Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says it's a great opportunity to introduce newcomers to the sport using Iowa’s apprentice hunting license, which allows two supervised hunts before completing hunter education.

Pheasant counts are slightly down from last year, but northern Iowa remains a hotspot for roosters, according to the DNR's August roadside survey.

Last year, more than 83,000 hunters harvested over 590,000 birds, generating 180 million dollars in economic impact. This season marks 100 years of pheasant hunting in Iowa.

The first hunt in 1925 allowed a three-rooster limit in 13 counties.