Hunters heading into the field Opening Day should see more pheasants than a year ago. A mild winter and normal spring teamed up to boost this fall's ringneck forecast by 19.2 percent over 2004.

"It's a more optimistic outlook for birds and hunters," anticipates Todd Bogenschutz, upland game biologist for the Department of Natural Resources. "There are significantly better numbers in northwest, north central and central counties. In all regions, except the south central area, populations are similar or higher than last year. Based on this year's numbers, pheasant hunters should harvest between 900,000 and 1 million pheasants this fall." Iowa's pheasant season runs October 29 to January 10, 2006.

That forecast follows the annual August roadside count, in which more than 200, 30-mile routes are driven by DNR wildlife workers and conservation officers. On the early morning, gravel road routes, surveyors tally pheasant numbers, brood sizes and other upland species seen such as quail, partridge and rabbits. The 2005 statewide average of 35.9 pheasants per route is in line with the 35.2 bird 10-year average, though still lagging behind the 45.5 bird long-term average. It is the second highest count recorded in the last seven years.

Bogenschutz points to a mild winter for the upturn in this fall's pheasant population. "We averaged 18 inches of snow statewide. That's 28 percent below normal and improves chances for hen survival. Just 12 years in the 118 years of weather records showed less snowfall," explains Bogenschutz. "In addition, we had favorable spring weather for nesting. Temperatures were slightly above normal. April and May precipitation was essentially normal across most of the state."

Some extremes in weather were noted. The drought-like pocket in east central and southeast Iowa...as well as spotty deluges of rain across northern Iowa will create spotty pheasant numbers as hunters get out this fall and winter. "We are seeing a lot of birds now as well travel the back roads," offers DNR conservation officer Gary Koppie, assigned to Palo Alto and Emmet counties in northwest Iowa. "Some of the traditional routes where we usually count 60-plus birds might have had only 30 or 35. Yet, some of the 30 to 32 pheasant routes were reporting 60 this year. That goes back to local spotty rains flooding some nests. Overall, it looks slightly better than prior years."

Bogenschutz rates as 'excellent' a band that wraps around Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas and Sac Counties in north central/northwest Iowa. Most of the rest of the state rates 'good' to 'fair.' Most of south central Iowa gets a 'poor' rating this season, along with several far western counties and the eastern half of counties bordering the Mississippi River. Typical of the spotty nature of the count, though is a narrow, 40-mile stretch from Crawford into Sac County that runs the gamut, from poor to fair to good to excellent.

Biologists caution, though, that hunter success can vary from township to township, depending on local weather...and habitat. "Whenever there is better habitat, pheasants do well," points out Bogenschutz. "Excellent habitat and abundant public lands should offer some excellent hunting this year (in northern counties). That's been the 'core' pheasant range with lots of agriculture and some of the better habitat. Across central Iowa also, there is still a nice mix of grass with crops, which helps pheasants."

Hunters harvested just over 750,000 pheasants in 2004. In 2003, that harvest was just under 1,100,000.

Regional Outlook

Iowa's pheasant forecast varies from region to region, tied heavily to the August roadside counts. This year, the birds per route and change from last year looks like this:

Statewide: 35.9, +19.2%
Northwest: 63.5, +15.8
North central: 42.7, +33.6
Northeast: 24.7, +21.4

West central: 32.3, +40.1
Central: 51.2, +45.7
East central: 26.7, (-0.4)

Southwest 27.3, +17.8
South central 11.5, (-39.6)
Southeast 23.7, (-2.7)

Quail scarce; partridge, cottontail solid in traditional counties

Bobwhite quail numbers remain in a long-term decline, even in traditional southern Iowa counties. DNR upland game biologist Todd Bogenschutz citing intensified agriculture as the primary reason, warning that the drop will continue unless modifications in the Conservation Reserve Program or other habitat programs can be attained. The better counts came in the area around, south and southwest of Ottumwa. The statewide index is 0.72 birds/route, a drop of 23 percent over last year. That is just above the 10-year, 0.6 quail average, but well below the historic figure of 1.5 quail per route.

Gray partridge were seen on more routes this year, with the 2.88 per route count the highest recorded since 1998; up significantly from the 2004 count of 2.05 birds. That estimate is still 9 percent below the 10-year count and 33 percent down from the historical trend. Bogenschutz says dry weather in eastern regions, along with that mild winter, led to the increase. The northwestern quarter of the state showed best partridge numbers, with most of Cherokee, O'Brien, Sioux, Osceola and Lyon counties shown as 'excellent.'

Cottontail rabbits were down from last year, but Bogenschutz still sees the trend (6.1 per route, down from 7.7 in 2004) at or near 10-year and historical averages. Southwest and south central counties showed the highest bunny numbers, though that south central index is down due to 'too dry' conditions; something experienced in east central and southeast counties, too. With cottontail reproduction best in seasons with normal to slightly above normal moisture, field staff predicts best rabbit hunting success should be in nine or 10 counties on either side of Creston in southwest Iowa.

Jackrabbit numbers remain down, due to the long-term loss of traditional habitat of small grain and hayfields and pastures. The 2005 count dropped 50 percent compared to 2004 and is 63 percent below the 10-year average; 88 percent down when compared to long-term trends. Most jackrabbits observed where in the northwest, north central and central regions.

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