SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- Pheasant hunters could find plenty of birds outside of South Dakota.

Pheasant counts are promising in southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, parts of North Dakota and Nebraska.

In parts of northwestern Iowa, "We had the highest counts we've seen in about 25 years," said Todd Bogenschutz of upland wildlife research with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. (DNR). The DNR does an annual roadside survey that includes a pheasant count.

The northwest region averaged 55 birds per route which was the highest density of any region this year, according to the DNR report. The count was 69% compared to a couple years ago, Bogenschutz said.

Minnesota also does an August roadside survey, "The count was up nearly 50% from a year ago," said Steven Woodley, a senio

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