2eagles

Seems like no one cares about our Iowa pheasants this year. Last year there were several questions about where the birds were, but unhappily we had no birds because of the terible weather the winter before. But having been out a lot bow hunting, I can say we have our birds back. I hear them crowing in the morning and have even had three roosters walk under my treestand. There will never be as many pheasants as there were 39 years when I shot my first one, but man it's good to know we still have pheasants. If you hunt our opener next Saturday, please be careful! Jim

Merit

I think we have a year or two to go in SW Iowa before it's back the way it was. We had a very easy Winter and a mild Spring. However, the drought was definitely hard on them this Summer. Granted, numbers are up a lot compared to last year, but I think we still have a year or two more to go before it's back to what we're used to.

Shaggy2

I agree with two eagles. There are many birds around, anyway more than last year. i also have seen many under my stand. Planning to put the bow away Saturday for a morning hunt. Should be a good day.

Sven

I read a clip in the local paper when I was home last weekend that the pheasant population is up 119% from last year meaning there are double the birds, not just 20% more. Looks like you should have a good year over there. I used to have a good spot to go but have since lost touch with them.

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Live: Oregon, IL
Hunt: Knox County, IL



Edited by - sven on 10/24/2002 17:08:45

THWACK

SW Ia and SE NE. Seeing more birds in IA but not a teeming population. My favorite spot in S NE was really dissappointing compared to last years hunt. I haven't been out much this year. Maybe just had off days

THWACK!

SW Iowa Hunter

I havn't been out much but opening day with two good dogs lead to no birds with one wild one spotted.

I agree we do have twice as many birds as last year in sw iowa.

That would mean there should be two this year.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

&quot; Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad&quot;

2eagles

I talked to a man who hunted SW IA lately and said they saw lots of quail. Good news there! Jim

bird chaser

SW Iowa bird numbers are decent. I have seen better but I am happy about this year and am optimistic about next year. Flushed 24 hens one day and yesterday, flushed 10 hens in a two hour hunt. Worst story of the year, flushed a hen which pushed up ten roosters 200-300 yards in front of me. That was frustrating. But there are birds out there and limiting out isn't out of the question.

hc4runner

I live in southeast MO. and have never pheasant hunted before, but I would love to try it, is there any good public land to hunt, and do you have to have a good birddog to hunt them. If you can help me out here, I could probably turn you on to some dove hunting BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS.

2eagles

hc, sure there is public hunting land, some bad and some pretty good. This time of the year most of the early season hunters are busy watching football, so it's pretty easy to get on private property if you just ask. I used to bird hunt a lot and had very good dogs which does give you an advantage. But! When we get some snow on the ground, hunting can be great without a dog. I'm waiting for the snow and trying to fill one more bow deer tag before I chase pheasants. I know there are still birds out there, but it isn't gonna be easy. The roosters that aren't in someones freezer are very smart birds. Jim