DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Department of Natural Resources says hunters killed more pheasants in 2012, marking the first increase since 2005.
The DNR says the pheasant harvest rose by 45 percent, with hunters killing an estimated 158,000 roosters.
The increase was expected due to a mild winter and spring in 2012 that led to an 18 percent increase in the pheasant count during the August Roadside Survey.
The DNR says there also was an increase in hunting of bobwhite quail, mourning dove, cottontail and squirrel.
The only decline was in harvesting of Hungarian partridge.
There was a 5 percent increase in small game hunters in 2012. Hunting estimates are based on a survey of these hunters.
This year’s August Roadside Survey will be from Aug. 1 to 15, with results available by mid-September.