Iowa is Celebrating 100 Years of
Pheasant Hunting This Year

Pheasants first originated in Iowa in 1901 after a wind storm affected a game farm in Cedar Falls.

By 1925, pheasants had multiplied significantly, leading to the collection of 60,000 wild eggs and 7,000 wild birds for distribution. That year also marked Iowa’s first pheasant hunting season, with 75,000 hunters participating.

In 1976, pheasant hunting opened statewide, and in 2025, we will celebrate a century of pheasant hunting in Iowa.

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors is proud to partner with the IA DNR to celebrate this anniversary. We will be planning and organizing pheasant hunts for youth across Iowa for this coming season. Check out our Iowa calendar for hunts near you!

For more information on the events taking place to celebrate 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting in Iowa, click here!