The Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever are celebrating 100 years of pheasant hunting in the state of Iowa. Iowa DNR reports that the first season was held Oct. 20-22, 1925, when 13 counties in north central Iowa were opened to pheasant hunting. Hunters were allowed a three-rooster limit, for a half-day of hunting. An estimated 75,000 hunters participated.
Iowa’s 2024 estimated pheasant harvest was the second highest in nearly two decades, coming in at more than 460,000 roosters’ last fall. The 2023 harvest was 590,000 birds.
This is the best back-to-back pheasant harvest years since 2007 with only South Dakota harvesting more pheasants last year. More than 77,400 hunters tracked pheasants in Iowa last fall, down from 83,600 in 2023.
The statewide August roadside survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff between Aug. 1-15, who drive 225, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes it easier to count.
Iowa’s quail hunters harvested 27,500 birds or 2,700 fewer than last year. Iowa’s rabbit and squirrel harvest both increased over 2023; rabbits by 13 percent and squirrels by 32 percent.
Hunters can commemorate the 100th anniversary of pheasant hunting by purchasing a hard card featuring Iowa Pheasants Forever Print of the Year when they purchase their 2025 hunting and fishing licenses.