(IOWA DNR) — Iowa’s pheasant hunting tradition will begin another chapter on Saturday, when nearly 60,000 hunters will pursue ringnecks during the season opening weekend in fields across the state.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resourcesannual August roadside survey predicts Iowa pheasant hunters can expect to have good hunting this fall, and likely more company in the field. The optimistic mood is a natural outcome of five consecutive years of higher population surveys and hunter harvests.
The survey found an average of 21 pheasants per 30 mile route statewide, with higher counts coming from counties crossing the state diagonally from northwest to southeast. The statewide average in 2015 was 24 pheasants per route.
“At this point, it appears much of our corn and beans will be out of the fields by the opener, which will concentrate birds to grass areas and make hunters happy. If we have good weather, I think we could see a bump in hunter numbers and birds harvested,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR.
Bogenschutz said he has noticed more birds near field edges and along the roads as the crops have been coming out.
“I’ve been seeing some birds around on my way in to the office and have been getting a few phone calls from around the state from people also seeing birds,” he said. ““The birds are here, we need hunters to return.”
Iowa’s pheasant population could sustain a harvest of 500,000 roosters, but it will not reach that level until there are 90,000 hunters afield. In 2015, some 55,000 hunters harvested 270,000 Iowa roosters.
Hunters can read the August roadside survey, review hunting regulations, buy a license and find a place to hunt online at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting.
Regulations
unchanged
Regulations covering pheasant hunting are unchanged from last year – there is a limit of three roosters per day, 12 roosters in possession, and hunters are required to wear one piece of solid blaze orange clothing. If hunting public land, be sure to check if steel shot is required. If cleaning the birds in the field, be sure to leave the head, fully feathered wing or leg attached while transporting the bird home.
Quail population highest in 27 years
Iowa’s quail population is its highest since 1989 after experiencing increases again across south central and southwest Iowa this year.
“This is the best opportunity we’ve had to hunt quail in 27 years,” Bogenschutz said. “For anyone who has ever had an interest in quail or who hasn’t hunted quail recently, this is the year to go.”
In 1989, 80,000 hunters harvested 400,000 quail. In 2015, 10,000 hunters shot 28,000 quail.
Quail population information is also included in the August roadside survey for hunters wanting to give quail hunting a try. Quail season begins Saturday.
Iowa furbearer
season begins
Nov. 5
Iowa fur harvesters will find good numbers of raccoons, muskrats, beaver, coyotes, bobcats, river otters and mink when the furbearer trapping and hunting season opens on Nov. 5.
“Population-wise, all species are doing pretty well except for gray fox,” said Vince Evelsizer, fur bearer biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Trappers who like to pursue muskrats should find better numbers on area marshes this year. All indications show better muskrat numbers in many parts of the state for the second year in a row, whichis great news, he said.
“It’s still not what is used to be in some areas, but definitely an improvement. Muskrats are a bread-and-butter species for Iowa trappers, but the population has been on a downward trend for the past 25 years or so. So it’s good to see their numbers rebound some,” Evelsizer said.
What hasn’t come back is the furmarket outlook – fur prices remain low.
The number of fur harvesters fluctuates with the market prices and for the third year in a row, the fur market outlook is poor.
“We gained about 2,000 fur harvesters per year from 2009 through 2013, and then lost about 2,000 fur harvesters per year from 2014 through 2015,” said Evelsizer. He expects the decrease in trappers to continue for the 2016-17season.
“This is a good year to spend time with youth or older adults trapping, coon hunting, or predator hunting. It’s a great way to spend time together in the outdoors, regardless of the fur market,” he said.
“On the positive side, we are still one of the top five states in the nation for the number of fur harvesters per capita.”
Regulation change
Fur harvesters are no longer requiredto obtain a permit to hold furs for sale after the season closes on Jan. 31, 2017.
Otter,bobcat
reminder
Furharvesters are reminded that it is importantthat they turn in the lower jaw or skull of any otter and bobcat they harvest.
“This enables us to extract a toothfor aging and monitor the age distribution of otters and bobcats. Thisinformation helps assess the feasibility of possible changes to the otter or bobcat harvest season,” said Evelsizer.
A map of the counties open to bobcat harvest is on p. 20 in the Iowa Huntingand Trapping Regulations book available at license vendors and on the Iowa DNR'swebsite at www.iowadnr.gov/huntingregs
Gray fox study
Iowa is participating in an ongoing Midwest gray fox DNA tissue study by working with trappers to collect tissue samples used for genetic information.
“Iowa’s gray fox numbers have declined over the past ten years. Southeast Iowa has the highest population but there are small pockets of gray fox throughout the state,” Evelsizer said.
Trappers who catch a gray fox can contact Evelsizer at 641-357-3517 or their local DNR biologist or conservation officer.