The Iowa pheasant population survey begins Today.

(Des Moines) The Statewide Pheasant population count begins today and runs through August 155. John Lorenzen with the DNR Office in Lewis says the fall forecast will be based on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) annual roadside pheasant counts, which begin August 11.

The statewide 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 them easier to count.

In June, the DNR issued its annual prediction for roadside counts. The prediction uses a weather model based on the snowfall, rainfall, and temperatures from the past winter and spring. The model provides a best guess at what the counts might look like, predicting numbers to be likely lower than last year.

However, the best indicator for the fall season is the August roadside survey that 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 266.