2012 Pheasant Harvest Increased 45 Percent

[Rick]

SPIRIT LAKE, IA - Iowa’s pheasant harvest increased 45 percent in 2012, which was the first increase in harvest since 2005. Hunters harvested an estimated 158,000 roosters, lead by northwest Iowa, and followed by central and north central regions.

The increase in harvest was expected after the annual August Roadside Survey pointed to a population increase of 18 percent.

“We finally had a mild winter and spring in 2012 and our pheasant population responded,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Bobwhite quail, mourning dove, cottontail and squirrel harvest estimates increased as well.

The only decrease in harvest occurred with Hungarian partridge.

The number of small game hunters increased 5 percent in 2012. The harvest estimates are based on a survey of small game hunters.

The 2013 August Roadside Survey is Aug. 1-15, with results available by mid-September.

[gspman]

Compared to what it used to be the Iowa pheasant harvest is abysmal.

[mwal]

It is not even worth thinking of going there. I looked on the internet and as recently as 2000 the kill was over 1 million birds. Unbelievable. After my fishing trip to SD they won't be far behind in falling to those numbers. The habitat is disappearing its scary. They are literally planting crop within inches of the water.

Mwal

[walleye18]

MWAL - your spot on.....SD and ND will be there within 10 yrs....if corn/methanol keeps doing what it doing.

I remember corn prices were below $3/bushel a few years back. Over $8.00/bushel last year!!! All in the name of ethanol....do the math. It costs more to make and produce ethanol than a gallon of diesel fuel - FACT!

Sad to see for sure!

Thanks to the politicians!!!!!!!

[grey ghost]

Pretty sure corn wasn't over $8.00/bu last year because of ethanol...couldn't have been because of the drought across most of the corn belt.