The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ annual roadside pheasant count begins Thursday, August 1st.
The statewide survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff August 1st-15th, who drive 225, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods (like food) to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes them easier to count.
The August roadside survey counts actual pheasants seen along more than 6,000 miles of rural, gravel roads.
The August roadside survey has been conducted over the same routes since 1962. In addition to pheasants and quail, the survey collects data on partridge, cottontails and jackrabbits. Results will be posted online at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey in early September. Iowa’s pheasant season begins October 26th.
