A major hunting season is open across the state.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Aron Arthur says pheasant season runs from October 25th through January 10th and individuals who are over 16 must have their valid hunting license and habitat fee. He advises that only non-toxic ammunition is allowed when public hunting for pheasants in Greene County as he explains why hunters can’t use toxic materials like lead in their ammunition.

“A lot of the areas that you hunt, for example the state areas are all water fowl production areas. Ducks are dabbling ducks, so if you shoot lead out into a water fowl production area, eventually they can consume it.” 

Arthur points out that following the annual DNR Pheasant Roadside Survey in August resulted in a 20-year high for the population of the upland game. He states that because of the less than wet spring coupled with a consecutive year of not having a hard winter allowed for more hatches to happen.

“The hardest thing on pheasants, to be honest, is a really hard, snow-packed winter. That seems to have the higher mortality. But we key that in with not having any snow and having good production springs, we’re going to have a good amount of pheasants, which is showing right now.”   

Arthur reminds hunters that a minimum requirement of at least 50-percent blaze orange on a hat must be worn, but he advocates to wear more so that you can be seen easily in the field.