Opening weekend for the 2022 pheasant season was one of the busiest in recent memory, according to Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff. DNR Upland Wildlife Biologist Todd Bogenschutz says, “Our bird numbers are similar to last year, so that should make some folks pretty happy. I think we’re set up for a good hunting year for pheasants, especially in the northwest, west central, and north central regions.” Reports from the DNR’s law enforcement division indicate hunter numbers were the highest they have seen for an opening weekend for several years. Nonresident hunters were more frequent than usual, with Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, and Ohio license plates making up nearly a third of vehicles parked in northern Iowa lots on Saturday. The state’s pheasant season opened on Oct. 29 and runs through Jan. 10.