Iowa deer harvest behind 2008

[Skunk]

Iowa deer harvest behind 2008

found at Prairie State Outdoors

December 22, 2009

DES MOINES – The reported Iowa deer harvest is running about 4,000 behind the 2008 numbers, but the remaining deer seasons are likely to shrink that gap, said wildlife experts.  Hunters still have the late muzzleloader season, the nonresident holiday antlerless season and the January antlerless season in which to participate.

“The number of female deer taken is the critical measure and it is only about 2,000 lower. We expect the overall harvest to inch lower since we have fewer deer,” said Willie Suchy, supervisor for the DNR’s wildlife research section.

Suchy said he has received a few inquiries about the DNR extending the shotgun season, like in 2007, but that scenario will likely never happen again.

“The 2007 shotgun seasons were a unique with severe winter weather impacting hunter participation on the weekends in both seasons and the harvest numbers were well below projections.  Our just completed second shotgun season had the highest harvest ever for the last weekend of the season, since reporting started four years ago,” he said.  “Extending the season like we did in 2007 is less likely to be needed as deer numbers are close to the department’s goals in many counties in the state.”

Hunters who are looking to harvest a deer can enjoy pursuing Iowa’s premier big game through the end of January.

“The late muzzleloader just started and runs through January 10, 2010. After that the January antlerless season begins and runs until the end of January. There are still plenty of antlerless licenses available in many of these counties where the extra harvest is needed,” he said.

http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/iowa_deer_harvest_behind_2008/

[Cuts Crooked]

Iowa deer harvest behind 2008

found at Prairie State Outdoors

December 22, 2009


“The 2007 shotgun seasons were a unique with severe winter weather impacting hunter participation on the weekends in both seasons and the harvest numbers were well below projections.  Our just completed second shotgun season had the highest harvest ever for the last weekend of the season, since reporting started four years ago,” he said.  “Extending the season like we did in 2007 is less likely to be needed as deer numbers are close to the department’s goals in many counties in the state.”


“The late muzzleloader just started and runs through January 10, 2010. After that the January antlerless season begins and runs until the end of January. There are still plenty of antlerless licenses available in many of these counties where the extra harvest is needed,” he said.

http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/iowa_deer_harvest_behind_2008/

Well, the weather sure didn't cooperate much fer the scattergunners this year....and it ain't getting much/any better here in frontstuffer season! A lot of heavy wet snow, iced over and noisy to stalk on, and ongoing rain on top of it for several days now. Creeks that I can normally step across are running full, and where they iced over you cannot trust the ice! It's going to make it tough to fill my tags this year!

[Skunk]

Cuts Crooked,

Best of Luck to you for the rest of the season.

Just wondering about the regulations down there in Iowa. I take it you folks can not use rifles during the deer gun season? Shotguns only?

I've always been intrigued about hunting in Iowa.

[Cuts Crooked]

Skunk,

Our regular gun season is scattergun/muzzleloaders/handguns only. Early M-loader, in October, does not permit handguns, but in late m-loader they are allowed. Then...after all the scattergun and m-loader seasons are over... we have a centerfire season in January in the two bottom tiers of counties, for anterless only.

I don't hunt in scattergun season anymore, and when I used to do it I used a frontstuffer. Nowadays, I stay outta the timber during scattergun season.......scares the bejeezus outta me to be out there with the "Shotgun Army".

[Skunk]

Thanks for the info Cuts Crooked.

Iowa's "Shotgun Army." I like that. Sounds like the "Magnum, Semi-Auto Army" that invades Northern Wisconsin, usually on opening day, that came to shoot instead of hunt.

[pozoutdoors]

It does get a bit scary at times!!! I use a muzzleloader for shotgun season too!! I can't load as fast but I take a little more time for that perfect shot and I can shoot farther too!!! I will make it out tomorrow with my encore. I have two muzzleloader tags in my pocket. I am looking forward to our rifle season too. I will put on the .25-06 barrel on my encore and shoot a few does for the farmer i've been hunting on this year. He wants as many deer killed as possible. I've taken 5 does on him so far and I hope to take about 5 more. I'm just doing my part!!! Merry Christmas to you all!!!!!

[pozoutdoors]

Well, I filled my muzzleloader tags this morning. It only took about an hour. I went and bought another tag. I took the muzzleloader barrel and rifle stock off and put on my .45 acp pistol barrel and stock on. So, I will be back out again in the morning but armed with the pistol this time.

[Skunk]

WTG pozoutdoors!!! Big Congrats. Best of luck on the second one.

[pozoutdoors]

Filled another tag today using my .45 acp encore pistol. No they are not factory spec. loads!!!