DNR Working to Stabilize Deer Herd Following Poor Hunting Season

A buck stands in a field near the Family YMCA in Bettendorf, Iowa, Thursday Nov. 10, 2005. (AP Photo/Quad City Times, Jeff Cook)

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By Lisa Kunkel

Story Created: Feb 22, 2012 at 7:52 AM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 22, 2012 at 8:03 AM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Hunters in Iowa killed about 4.5 percent fewer deer during the recent hunting seasons.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says hunters killed about 121,400 deer during the 2011-2012 seasons. Officials say Iowa's deer population has been reduced by about 30 percent from its peak in 2006.

Spokesman Dale Garner says deer numbers in many areas are near or below the DNR's objective. The department will review the harvest and population surveys this spring and make proposals to reduce the kill and stabilize deer where the numbers are at or below the goal.

The agency says in areas were numbers haven't reached the goal, hunters will have the option to kill extra does. Many of these areas are near cities and towns where hunting is restricted.

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