Habitat and weather are the two factors often tied to the pheasant population numbers. Each year the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ August Roadside Count data reflects those two variables. Since 1962, the Iowa DNR has conducted the August Roadside Survey, generating data from approximately 225 30-mile routes on Iowa’s upland game: ring-necked pheasants, bobwhite quail, gray partridge, cottontail rabbits and white-tailed jackrabbits.