Pheasants aren’t the only game bird growing in population in Iowa. Todd Bogenschutz, with the Department of Natural Resources, says quail numbers are at their highest level in a couple of decades. “Our quail numbers, statewide, are at the highest we’ve seen since 1994,” Bogenschutz says. The hunting season for both pheasants and quail opens today (Saturday). Bogenschutz says, in some respects, hunting quail presents more of a challenge.

“I think the bird, because it’s small…when you get a covey to rise, people describe it as bumblebees going everywhere. So, I think the challenge is picking a target out of that blur of 10 to 15 birds that all just got up at once,” Bogenschutz. In addition to more quail, a DNR roadside survey found the state’s pheasant population increased by 37-percent this year. While the pheasant hunting season ends on January 10, hunters can use the same small game license for quail through January 30.

(Radio Iowa)