Pheasant season opens this weekend

Thousands of people clad in orange and carrying weapons take to Iowa’s fields tomorrow in the opening day of pheasant season. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau Chief Richard Bishop says it should be a good season.Up to 200-thousand hunters are expected to hit the fields. Bishop says opening day has become a social event in many communities across Iowa.He says the changing face of Iowa agriculture has impacted pheasant hunting.Bishop says the number of hunters has declined in the last 10 to 15 years as the amount of habitat available has been reduced by additional farming. Bishop says poor weather has hurt bird populations in the southern half of the state. He still expects over one million birds to be taken. Bishop cautions all hunters to think about safety first as they take to the fields tomorrow.