DNR: Deer Harvest Down

[blake]

Iowa Deer Harvest Down

Deer hunters reported taking nearly 70,000 deer during the recently completed shotgun deer seasons. The kill is about 9 percent lower than what was reported in 2010 and about 30 percent below the reported harvest in 2006. The number of licenses issued for these seasons was about the same as in 2010 and 5 percent lower than in 2006.

“The reduced kill is a result of the reduced deer population,” said Dale Garner, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau. “Deer numbers in many areas are near the department’s objective and we are now encouraging hunters to be more selective with their harvest.

“We have been hearing complaints from hunters that they are not seeing the number of deer that they had in the past and some are voicing their concerns that the herd reduction may have gone too far,” Garner said. “My advice to those hunters is to work with the landowner to see if the deer population is at a desirable level and adjust the local doe harvest accordingly.”

The DNR will review the harvest and population surveys after the seasons are complete in January and make proposals to reduce the deer kill and stabilize deer numbers. Reductions in the harvest were proposed in 2011 but not adopted.

For more informaction contact Dale Garner, Chief of Wildlife, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-281-6156.

 

[SCOFFIN]

Shocking....

 

[revup]

I enjoy the politicaly correct jabs in there, and especially the contact info at the bottom

 

[Windwalker]

Drrrrrrr you shoot does till some pockets are cleaned clear out what did they think would happen. Guess its time to tresspass and clean out the farms that some people actually manage.

 

[jw_wildfire]

Reductions in the harvest were proposed in 2011 but not adopted.

I just love this part of the release........... There is your answer to all the DNR haters that constantly complain about them not reducing the seasons or tag numbers.

 

[River1]

It's a shame that number isn't the Gov's personal cell. :drink1:

 

[maher2215]

Yea so now your going to have just as many hunters all trying to get permission for the same peice of property. A property that has probably been managed, but with overwhelming pressure will soon be decimated. The DNR couldnt manage the pheasant population and they are gone in a few years the deer will be gone we will be left with mangy turkeys and bald eagles. I bet there are 3 to 1 bald eagles in northeast iowa compared to pheasants.

 

[droptine37]

I personally like the way the Iowa DNR communicates with its sportsman. Us Illinois guys would take your leaders in a heartbeat. Over here our deer numbers have been decimated and the only thing they continue to talk about is the bad weather or standing corn as for the reason why we aren't seeing the deer. Hearing someone admit that deer numbers are down and that its time for hunters to consider some restraint is a breathe of fresh air. Our DNR is wound so tight by Illinois politics that it almost makes me sick to see our natural resources suffer the consequences.

 

[loneranger]

Officials have to say the right thing to their constituants,,but hunters are not the only constituants. I wonder what they are saying to the Farm Bureau?

 

[Thinkin Rut]

Watch what they do, not what they say.

 

[Daver]

The Iowa DNR is in a tough spot, their recommendations were not adopted, as I feel they should have been, regarding reducing tag numbers. Unfortunately, what many have feared for some time has manifested IMO, the management of our natural resources has fallen into the political process. Yell at me if you wish...but the agricultural lobby and insurance lobby is going to dwarf the hunting lobby and those folks wouldn't be quite satisifed until there barely any deer out there.

I have spoken personally with Tim Litchfield and I really don't think we could ask for much more in terms of someone who "get's it", but he is not the final say so. I think those that are heavily criticizing the DNR are missing the boat.

 

[Cooter]

Yell at me if you wish...but the agricultural lobby and insurance lobby is going to dwarf the hunting lobby and those folks wouldn't be quite satisifed until there barely any deer out there.

More reason for everyone that cares about deer hunting in Iowa should join the Iowa Bowhunters Association or another supporter. We need to stop bickering between ourselves and become more of a one loud single voice. Instead of a lot a different ones wanting things favor the way an individual hunts. :way:

Mobile Cooter using IW

 

[teeroy]

farm bureau STILL wants more deer killed

 

[risto2351]

More reason for everyone that cares about deer hunting in Iowa should join the Iowa Bowhunters Association or another supporter. We need to stop bickering between ourselves and become more of a one loud single voice. Instead of a lot a different ones wanting things favor the way an individual hunts. :way:

Mobile Cooter using IW

Never happen Cooter.

I have been to more than one meeting for IWF talking to 100-200
people about the organization and what is happening.
I usually have 1 - 3 people ask and want more information.

Most people are casual hunters and when it is gone they will find something else to do. They are not diehards like most on here.

For all the organizations to unite as one would be a very difficult task.

This is all JMHO.

 

[Crimson Arrows]

Most people are casual hunters and when it is gone they will find something else to do. They are not diehards like most on here.

I agree, and while we must keep trying, that I feel will always be true. There are many, and this is fine, that only hunt shotgun, or the first week in November if the weather is good.

Still, have to keep trying to educate :way:

 

[Cooter]

The more people I talk to even the one weekenders all seem to agree that the herd is suffering and something needs to change.

But most tend to forget about it at seasons end.

Sent from Cooter's iPad using IW

 

[Hardwood11]

Iowa

The more people I talk to even the one weekenders all seem to agree that the herd is suffering and something needs to change.

But most tend to forget about it at seasons end.

Sent from Cooter's iPad using IW

Cooter: If you want more members in your organization go after the NR's (20% of the landowners in Iowa) like me. If your group was serious about giving some opportunity with additional tags to manage a farm and supporting that, I would probably join.

I like the way Iowa has all of October/November to bow hunt and I like most of the other rules in place, but the limited doe tag and expensive doe tag situation is hurting management and creating a sense of high deer populations on certain farms...which skews the DNR data and the perception of a high deer population!

I am not pushing for additional buck tags, as it is now I can take a buck every year (either bow or shotgun) simply give NR reasonably priced doe tags to manage the farm (where needed)...some farms may not need to shoot many does, but I need to harvest a few on mine...and yes I do allow R to shoot a few as well, but I like to be involved in the management.

Just an idea for you, more membership money, and a common voice.

 

[risto2351]

Cooter: If you want more members in your organization go after the NR's (20% of the landowners in Iowa) like me. If your group was serious about giving some opportunity with additional tags to manage a farm and supporting that, I would probably join.

I like the way Iowa has all of October/November to bow hunt and I like most of the other rules in place, but the limited doe tag and expensive doe tag situation is hurting management and creating a sense of high deer populations on certain farms...which skews the DNR data and the perception of a high deer population!

I am not pushing for additional buck tags, as it is now I can take a buck every year (either bow or shotgun) simply give NR reasonably priced doe tags to manage the farm (where needed)...some farms may not need to shoot many does, but I need to harvest a few on mine...and yes I do allow R to shoot a few as well, but I like to be involved in the management.

Just an idea for you, more membership money, and a common voice.

Hardwood,

I think most of us on here and IWF have said that we think
the price to NR's is a bit spendy.

Unfortunately we do not have much say in the price because we
really do not even have a say in the number of does tags that each
county should be given.

 

[Cooter]

Hardwood11 I'm sure the IBA would benefit from more NR funds. It would not strenghten the the voice of the IBA to the politicians since NR are not Iowa voters.

I am only a member not a rep. So take nothing I say as it is coming from the IBA.

I believe NR tags are to high and I would not pay for one. People are will to and do. So I don't see the price going down.

Mobile Cooter using IW

 

[iowabucks]

I wonder what they are saying to the Farm Bureau?

"We'll get the population down eventually!"