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ONAWA, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — Iowa is celebrating its 100th year of pheasant-hunting this fall, and experts say it’s looking like a great season for beginners. According to an Iowa DNR survey, the pheasant population has reached a 20-year high.
Iowa DNR officials said this is the perfect year for beginner hunters.
“It’s looking like a fantastic season for pheasant hunters,” said Stacey Bragg, Iowa DNR state conservation officer.
According to the Iowa DNR’s Roadside Survey, conservationists saw a 43% increase in pheasant numbers in 2025 compared to 2024.
Officials said these numbers are due to a mild winter and dry spring.
“The main thing is how much nesting cover they have, and then on top of that is basically two other factors; spring rains, how much cold wet rain we get during April and May for chick survival, and then prior to that those hens that are going to do all that reproduction it’s their exposure in the winter,” said Doug Chafa, a wildlife biologist with Iowa DNR.
With more pheasants out in the field, Iowa DNR officers say this is a great opportunity for first-time hunters.
“This higher population just means hunters will have to hunt less miles an hour to fill their bag,” said Chafa.
Before this October, new hunters will have to get their hunting licenses.
DNR officials also want to remind anyone who wants to hunt about how many roosters you can bag and stay on public property.
“We do have issues with people not always staying on public ground, which is great, but they do need to have permission to be on private ground. We have a three-rooster limit a day and then we have a 12-possession limit per hunter,” said Bragg.
On top of their license, hunters will also have to receive their hunter’s safety certificate to make sure they and their fellow hunters stay safe.
“You have to wear a piece of clothing that’s at least 50% orange. That could be a hat, a shirt, a vest, even coveralls, but honestly, the more orange the better. Most people hunt in groups, so we need to make sure everybody is maintaining local control so they don’t start swinging and pointing at their hunting partners or anything that they shouldn’t be shooting at,” said Bragg.
Pheasant season doesn’t start until October 25 and goes until January 10.