Iowa’s Pheasant season opens Saturday, and with the number of birds in the field well below peak years, reports are that hunters can expect to find the best bird numbers in northwest, north central, and central Iowa. Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says that with low counts, some hunters will have excellent hunts and plenty of opportunities, while others will be able to flush a bird or two and put one in the bag. More than 7,500 acres of private land in 27 counties is being utilized for public hunting through Iowa’s Hunting and Access Program.