Northwest Iowa — Area hunters are preparing to head out as the first shotgun deer season opens in Iowa Saturday. An Iowa DNR spokesman, says some 60-thousand hunters are expected to try and bag a deer in the four-day season.
Deer numbers should be good, according to the DNR, as the deer populations have remained stable for each year going back to 2013, so DNR officials expect the deer harvest numbers to be around what they were last year.
Iowa’s deer harvest for all seasons last year was 101,397. Hunters are expected to have at least that much success once all the seasons are done this year.
Hunters are allowed to hunt in groups and drive deer. But the DNR says it’s important for everyone to discuss what they are going to do to remain safe.
Remember to wear blaze orange clothing and follow all the safety recommendations when hunting.
The DNR has tried to control the size of the deer herd, and officials say that results in 27 north-central and northwest Iowa counties which will have no county antlerless tags during the first shotgun season.
The second shotgun season will run from December 9th through the 17th.
