A statewide survey by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows the pheasant population has increased for the second year in a row. D-N-R wildlife biologist, Todd Bogenschutz, oversees the annual roadside survey. He says better winter weather helped.

Bogenschutz says the pheasant survey numbers vary in different parts of the state. The bird numbers improved last year after several years of decline, and he says that’s renewed enthusiasm in pheasant hunting.

The pheasant hunting season will start October 31.