Iowa Celebrates 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting with a 20 Year Population High

Outside of squirrel hunting when I was quite young, pheasant hunting was my first real hunting adventure with anything other than a BB Gun loaded with pellets. I always loved going out with my uncle Kenny and his bird dog, Saddie. I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm outside of Monticello with the perfect conditions for our beautiful Iowa "ring-necks" to thrive. And trust me, if you've never had pheasant meat, you, my friend, are missing out.

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Anyway, all this reminiscing brings me to a recent release from the Iowa DNR. Did you know Iowa is officially celebrating 100 years of pheasant hunting this year? True story. In fact, I plan on celebrating, hopefully by bagging a few dinners for my family, and maybe taking out my son and oldest daughter for their first official hunts.

And the timing couldn’t be better. According to the DNR’s August 2025 roadside survey, Iowa’s pheasant population is at a 20-year high. The statewide average came in at 28.1 birds per 30-mile route, up sharply from last year's 19.7. That’s a 41% jump above the 10-year trend and the highest statewide index since 2005. Time to get those "old school" recipes ready!

So what’s driving the boom? Simple: the mild winter. Overwinter hen survival in Iowa usually hovers around 60 to 65%, but in an easy winter, it can top 90%. This past year, survival was exceptional. That means more nests in the spring, and a better chance for chicks to survive to adulthood. Even though June and July rains lowered chick survival, the sheer number of nests more than made up for it. The proof is in the count!

The numbers are impressive across the map. The Northwest region averaged 55 birds per route. That's the best count in 25 years. The North Central and Northeast weren’t far behind at 34 birds per route, their best showings in nearly two decades. Even the typically lean southern regions saw double-digit increases and their strongest numbers in years. In fact, six of Iowa’s nine survey regions averaged over 20 birds per route. Translation: hunting is expected to be "good to excellent" this fall for most Iowans.

Last season, hunters harvested 464,000 roosters, the second-highest total since 2007. With this year’s bump, the DNR expects a harvest of between 600,000 and 700,000 roosters. And with crops maturing early, fields may be cleared in time for the opener, which usually means strong hunting for the start of the season.

It’s a fitting gift for Iowa’s pheasant centennial. From the accidental release of 2,000 birds in Cedar Falls back in 1901, to the peak harvest years of the 1960s, pheasants have become part of our identity. It's how I often "wasted" the days away in my youth. And here we are, 100 years after the first season, looking at one of the best falls for birds in a generation. So whether you’re chasing memories, chasing birds, or introducing your kids to an amazing Iowa tradition, 2025 looks to make it a memorable pheasant season.