Dear Outdoor Readers: I’ve been getting letters, emails and phone calls requesting information regarding the upcoming pheasant season and how the weather, lack of habitat and whatever will affect the future pheasant hunting in Iowa.
Pheasant hunters, DNR, Legislature and the Governor are all concerned about the lack of pheasants in the State of Iowa. This is based upon the fact that pheasants do contribute to the economic development of the State. With regard to these issues; the Legislature requested, along with the Governor’s Office and the DNR, a “Pheasant Task Force” composed of various outdoor organizations, interested parties and the Farm Bureau. The objective is to figure out and find out what the problem is and why there aren’t any pheasants in Iowa.
The “Task Force” is in the formation mode at this time and will operate much as the Iowa Deer Task Force did regarding the deer problem, however, the deer problem is due to the fact there are too many deer and the pheasant problem is due to the fact there are not enough pheasant. The DNR and various outdoor organizations are of the idea that the lack of pheasants is based upon the lack of habitat in Iowa.
My information from readers, friends and hunters indicates there is substantial habitat, however, due to the fact of the over-use of insecticides and pesticides by the farming community, the fence rows are gone, there are no weeds left for seeds for young birds. Young pheasants and quail need various weed seeds, oat seed or whatever seeds to exist, plus the fact there are no insects for the young birds to feed upon. Added to this is the fact there are too many skunks, raccoon, opossum and egg eaters due to the fact there are fewer trappers. The egg eaters are a real problem for the nesting birds.
My thoughts on the situation are that we need more trappers and we need to figure out a way and a means to help increase the trappers in the State of Iowa. Obviously the deer and turkeys have taken over as the dominating wildlife group and have taken the place of pheasant and quail in Iowa. It is my belief that we’ll never see a sufficient pheasant or quail crop in the State of Iowa in the near future due to the above situation.
Your comments and ideas are welcomed in this matter. You may contact the D.N.R. or myself, as we both would be appreciative of your input.
Contact “Dead Shot” at 405 – 6th Avenue, Suite 938, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, call me at (515) 283-2330 or email me at deadshotoutdoors@yahoo.com.
Have A Good Hunt And Keep On Fishing!
DEAD SHOT
a/k/a Ron Kuntz
