Extra Deer Hunt Approved by DNR

By Michelle Long, Producer

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By Michelle Long

Story Created: Dec 13, 2007 at 5:02 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 13, 2007 at 5:24 PM CST

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is adding another deer hunting season to reduce the state’s deer population.

An emergency ruling today approved the hunt for December 21st through the 23rd. Officials say deer harvest numbers are down compared to last year, most likely due to severe weather.

There are several criteria you have to meet to participate. Due to several accidents during past seasons this year, authorities are emphasizing that hunters take extra care when it comes to safety.

Below we have posted the press release from the DNR with that information.

FROM THE IOWA DNR ....

DES MOINES – An emergency rule allowing an additional antler less-only deer hunting season Dec. 21-23 was passed Thursday by the Natural Resources Commission.

The extra season will allow all of those resident hunters who had valid tags during first and second shotgun seasons as well as the youth season to participate in this special hunt. They can only harvest the number of deer that they have unfilled tags for. The rule also extends the late muzzleloader season by three days to Jan. 11-13.

The decision to add this special season came down to a combination of deer harvest and weather. Deer harvest numbers are down compared to last year. It is believed that severe weather, particularly during the first shotgun deer season in early December, contributed to lower hunting participation and lower harvest success. Harvest success has also lagged so far during the second shotgun season currently underway.

It is particularly essential to increase the harvest of does to manage deer populations.

Those hunters still holding unfilled deer tags from any of these three seasons and want the opportunity to participate in the special season are urged to hold on to their existing tags. Those hunters who have thrown away unused tags may get duplicate tags next week at no charge via the internet. Details of the duplicate tag availability along with answers to frequently asked questions will be released by the DNR as soon as possible.

It is imperative that hunters harvesting deer during any of Iowa’s seasons report their harvest as required, Garner said.

Garner said the current system of mandatory harvest reporting gives biologists the valuable information they need to effectively manage Iowa’s deer population and make adjustments such as this to provide additional hunting opportunities and increase harvest numbers.

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