The wet spring could lead to a drop in the number of pheasants in Iowa. Iowa DNR wildlife research biologist Todd Bogenschutz says the switch in the weather pattern can really impact pheasant.
Bogenschutz says several factors make wet springs tough on nesting pheasants.
Bogenschutz says the wet spring can also cut back the food source for young birds.
He says hunters had their best harvest last year since 2007. The relatively mild winter helped more pheasants survive, so it’s hard to tell what their fall pheasant survey will show.
Bogenschutz says lower counts doesn’t mean hunters won’t find pheasants.
The annual roadside pheasant surveys are held in August and the results on pheasant numbers will be released in September.