BOONE - Iowa pheasant hunters can be cautiously optimistic they will see more pheasants during the 2006 hunting season, thanks a mild winter and spring.

Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, uses a formula based on the previous winter snow cover and spring rainfall and temperature to predict this falls pheasant population.

Bogenschutz said pheasants are not out of the woods yet, as many nests will begin hatching in June. Heavy rains can cause the largest impact, washing out nests before eggs hatch or the young pheasants can escape the rising water. Heavy rainfall across north Iowa and in certain areas of southwest Iowa in May could have some impact on nesting success.

With a dry first half of June predicted, many hens have a good chance for a successful nest. "The weather data is correct about 80 percent of the time and over the last five years the models have been correct," he said.

The DNR's August roadside count is the best gauge of fall upland populations. The survey results are posted on the DNR's website at www.iowadnr.com around Sept. 15.

For more information, contact Bogenschutz at 515-432-2823