(Radio Iowa) – The wet spring could lead to a drop in the number of pheasants in Iowa. Iowa D-N-R wildlife research biologist Todd Bogenschutz says the switch in the weather pattern can really impact pheasant. “We went from major drought to major flooding in a pretty short time frame, and unfortunately it coincided with peak in nesting,” he says. Bogenschutz says several factors make wet springs tough on nesting pheasants. “We’re just not sure if the hens aren’t quite as attentive, maybe less of the eggs are fertile if they get chilled. You know and then we think in wet years you know, obviously predators,most to predation occurs by smell and when you have wetter conditions, scenting conditions are better, and so that could be part of it,” he says.

Bogenschutz says the wet spring can also cut back the food source for young birds. “Wetter cooler springs could impact the number of insects that are out there too, probably maybe suppresses it a little bit. So maybe the chicks don’t have as much forage base as they do and we tend to have our good years which tend to be warm and dry,” Bogenschutz says. 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. “It was a really good fall last year. So I think people were thinking, holy cow, we could be phenomenal if everything lined up,” he says. “but you know that didn’t quite come to fruition. The roadside counts will be interesting, I expect we will maybe show some small increases in some areas, but I think especially up in northwest and north central where we got that heavy rain, that our counts are probably going to be lower.”

Bogenschutz says lower counts doesn’t mean hunters won’t find pheasants. “We’re still gonna have birds out there. You know, we had reports of broods early and actually fairly large, a little bit earlier than I normally get them. We definitely did have some early hatch because of I think the mild winter and how quickly it went away this year,” he says.

The annual roadside pheasant surveys are held in August and the results on pheasant numbers will be released in September.

(Radio Iowa) About a dozen Iowa firefighters are helping battle wildfires in other states — across the Rocky Mountains, on the West Coast, and in the Pacific Northwest. Ryan Harr, supervisor of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Fire Program, says they’ve dispatched Iowans to help extinguish dangerous flareups in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming — and one crew just returned from fighting wildfires in South Dakota. “A number of folks are on hand crews where they’re just working on the fire line, preparing new lines, helping burnout, those sorts of things,” Harr says. “We have several people who are attached to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fire engines, so they’re actively out doing the initial attack, catching those smoke reports when they come in, and out chasing the fires.”

Iowa is also dispatching E-M-Ts and logistical planners to points west. Most of their assignments are for two weeks and Harr says it can be both grueling and rewarding. “They will spend a lot of time just out on the line working 10-, 12-, 14-hour days. Other folks, like some of our EMTs, are supporting firefighters on the line. Other folks are just on patrol and those sorts of things,” Harr says. “So they’re long, hot days. They do train for it. There is a rigorous national standard of physical fitness that folks have to meet to be deployed on a national assignment.” While Iowa has gotten a reprieve from several years of drought with heavy rain in recent months, Harr says the western U-S has seen just the opposite.

A mixed Iowa DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service crew works a hand line in Wyoming last week. (Photo from Iowa DNR)

After a year or two of generally wet conditions, he says much of the region is drying out rapidly this summer. “The national need for firefighters across the nation varies from year to year,” Harr says. “The last two seasons haven’t been too busy in the western, southwestern and southern United States. Previous to that, it was quite busy, so we do send firefighters every year, but the number ebbs and flows over time.” Harr says the D-N-R will continue to support its federal partners by providing firefighters and support staff throughout the summer and early fall. “The folks we’re deploying are gaining valuable skills, training in different states, in different areas, with different government agencies, and they bring those skills back home to Iowa, back to the Iowa DNR, back to their local counties, their local volunteer fire departments,” Harr says. “From prescribed burning to volunteer departments doing wildfire suppression and brush fires, we know they’re important skills for folks to go out and bring back to Iowa.”

Every year, Harr says the D-N-R certifies about ten of its own staff and another 35 Iowans from partner agencies, volunteer fire departments, and other organizations to be available for national fire incident assignments.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Royalty was crowned Thursday evening during the 75^th Cass County Fair, in Atlantic, wrapping-up day one of the Fair. Atlantic High School graduate Claire Pellett was crowned Queen of the 2024 Fair. She one was of eight young ladies vying for the title. Claire is a member of the Pymosa 4H club and the daughter of Brad and Kristy Pellett. She also won the title of Miss Congeniality. As Fair Queen, Pellett will represent Cass County at the Iowa State Fair in August.

Jack Brahms was crowned 2024 Cass County Fair King. Jack is a member of the Union Leaders 4H Club, and a CAM High School graduate. He is the son of Steve and Diane Brahms, and one of five candidates for the title.

Other royalty announced during the Fair, include:

• Jace Thomsen – Cass County Fair Prince. Jace is the son of Jeff and Rana Thomsen
• Makayla Atkinson – Cass County Fair Princess.
• The title of Little Miss went to Molly Schuler, daughter of Josh and Cecilia Schuler.
• Oliver Zellmer was named Little Mister.
• Jace Thomson won the title of Mr. Congeniality.

Following the King & Queen Contest, Thursday, was Senior Recognition and a Youth Dance. The Cass County Fair continues through Tuesday, July 30^th.

Check-out the complete schedule HERE.