As the majority of the state of Iowa digs out from some record-breaking snowfall, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reporting that the impacts could be more far-reaching than just the next few days. The storm that filled ditches, fencerows and CRP fields is likely to have an impact on the state’s pheasant and quail population. “This deep snow cover has buried all food for quail and most of it for pheasants,” says Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the DNR. “Areas with good winter cover adjacent to food plots are likely spots where we’ll see better survival. Landowners managing for pheasant and quail should include food plots as part of their strategy,” Bogenschutz adds. Area biologists are agreeing with the DNR’s assessment and all are expecting to see significant declines in the populations of both birds in the coming year.
