EP. 352: Iowa’s Upland Comeback: Pheasants, Quail, and Habitat Truths

About this episode

The episode discusses the resurgence of Iowa's upland bird populations and the critical role of habitat in their future.

Iowa’s upland birds are rebounding, but habitat still determines their future. The 100th pheasant season in Iowa delivered the kind of optimism hunters haven’t felt in two decades. Roadside counts climbed. Rooster harvest is projected to be the strongest in 20 years. Northern bobwhite numbers in the southern tier surged, with quail harvest potentially doubling from recent seasons. Even Hungarian partridge populations showed signs of growth. But strong bird numbers don’t happen by accident. This conversation dives deep into the real drivers behind pheasant and quail populations in the Hawkeye State. From winter survival and brood habitat to hunting pressure and predator dynamics, the takeaway is simple: habitat is the lever that matters most. Period. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how farming practices, CRP enrollment, seasonal weather patterns, and habitat opportunities shape the state of upland bird hunting. The lesson is practical and actionable: if you care about rooster flushes and covey rises, you care about grass. Show notes Find a Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever near you at https://events.pheasantsforever.org/events Connect with a PF & QF Farm Bill…

Topics covered

• upland birds
• habitat
• pheasants
• quail
• hunting
• wildlife management

Keywords

• Iowa
• pheasants
• quail
• habitat
• hunting pressure
• predator dynamics
• farming practices
• CRP enrollment

Sponsors

Purina Pro Plan

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever

Products: Purina Pro Plan

Places: Iowa, Hawkeye State

More episodes of On The Wing Podcast

• EP. 368: The Role of Bird Dogs in the Future of Hunting and Conservation · June 10, 2026 · 43 min
• EP. 367: Arizona Quail Initiative is Shaping Future of Habitat, Access, Hunting · June 3, 2026 · 1h 0m
• EP. 366: Working on a New Farm Bill and CRP Improvements in D.C. · May 27, 2026 · 39 min
• EP. 365: Trading Habitat Help for Hunting Access · May 20, 2026 · 1h 11m
• EP. 364: Keeping Your Bird Dog Sharp with a Busy Family Life · May 13, 2026 · 55 min
• EP. 363: Hands-On Habitat: Restoring Texas High Plains for Upland Wildlife · May 6, 2026 · 1h 3m