Forecast: Statewide bobwhite quail numbers were up significantly (+142 percent) from 2013 counts. Landowners and Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff reported more calling males this spring, suggesting good winter survival. This year’s index is 61 percent above the 10-year average and -33 percent below the long term average.
Changing land-use, mainly intensified agriculture, loss of small grain fields, and loss of shrubby/brushy habitat are the leading factors in Iowa’s long-term quail decline. This year’s statewide count is the highest since 2004 and 1995 prior to that.
Better quail numbers were reported in southwest and south-central Iowa where DNR staff has focused management on providing quail habitat. Iowa has 10,000+ acres of CP33 remaining, a CRP practice that provides needed quail habitat around crop fields in southern Iowa. The better quail counts in 2014 came from Adams, Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Ringgold, and Taylor counties.
Season Dates: October 25, 2014 through January 31, 2015
Daily Bag Limit: 8
Possession Limit: 16
Field Notes: More than 7,000 acres have now been enrolled in Iowa’s walk-in hunting program, IHAP (
Iowa Hunting and Access Program). The Iowa DNR just received a second grant for $3 million and expects to enroll more acreage into this program in the near future with the help of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever chapters in Iowa.
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