Iowa hunters are seeing fewer deer this year. Iowa Department of Natural Resources deer biologist Tom Litchfield says harvest totals have declined the past few years as the D.N.R. aims to reduce the deer herd to targeted population goals.
So far, hunters have reported killing 108,000 deer this season. That’s down 6.4% compared to last year at this time. Litchfield says there are pockets of the state where hunters are having some luck. “The reported harvest is down primarily in eastern and central portions of state,” Litchfield said.
“As you get into southwestern Iowa, that’s where we see the majority of counties that are harvest the same number of deer or even more deer than last year.” Litchfield believes only a few Iowa counties, primarily in southwest Iowa, will remain above deer population objectives by this spring.
Various Iowa deer hunting seasons run through January 30.