DNR to host Western Iowa deer population meetings in July

[cchadww]

The DNR meetings are starting tonight. I'll be at the one tonight in Atlantic. Will see what they have to say.

DNR to host Western Iowa deer population meetings in July

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting eight meetings in Western Iowa to discuss the status of the region’s deer herd as population levels have fallen in recent years. The meetings are open to the public.

www.iowadnr.gov

 

[IowaSportsmansClub]

Keep us posted! Will be interesting for sure, something needs to change.

 

[chadw]

The session walked through how the deer population has been declining in western iowa. Looked at the possible factors, like habitat, land use, predators, disease, hunting regulations, etc. Then discussed the one lever that the DNR can actually control to help impact population which is the number of licenses issued. The county that I live in (Cass) antlerless tags will be at 0 for 2024.

What I came away with is that the DNR’s hands are really tied by the legislature. Anything that was suggested that is discussed on this forum, like limiting the season length, removing doe tags from NR, eliminating rifles, etc were deflected as legislative issues and the DNR can’t control.

Thus, the need for IBA and ISC and everyone on here to be talking with their state reps.

Here are some of the charts that I grabbed some pics…

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[8bitnes]

The session walked through how the deer population has been declining in western iowa. Looked at the possible factors, like habitat, land use, predators, disease, hunting regulations, etc. Then discussed the one lever that the DNR can actually control to help impact population which is the number of licenses issued. The county that I live in (Cass) antlerless tags will be at 0 for 2024.

What I came away with is that the DNR’s hands are really tied by the legislature. Anything that was suggested that is discussed on this forum, like limiting the season length, removing doe tags from NR, eliminating rifles, etc were deflected as legislative issues and the DNR can’t control.

Thus, the need for IBA and ISC and everyone on here to be talking with their state reps.

Here are some of the charts that I grabbed some pics…

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Shelby and Story County both heavily underreported. Family found more that the county total during Fall harvest in Shelby. I found more than the county total during spring shed season on a single public land parcel in Story County (heads had previously been removed)

 

[CottonwoodCanyon]

They assume under reporting in their data and decision making about EHD. In September I talked to the CO when he came out to confirm an EHD deer in Appanoose about that. The numbers on that infographic are only the ones that an IDNR staff has confirmed, not the ones that were simply called in. They do that to retain the integrity of the data. I agree though, I found 8 in one day this spring on a single 160ac parcel in Fremont county.

 

[Hardwood11]

EHD was way underreported in Monona County…..contrary If they cut off doe tags, I hope it’s not for long, as it can change back in a hurry.

Next thing we will see farmers getting depredation tags in 2-3 years.

It’s a fine line !

 

[8bitnes]

They assume under reporting in their data and decision making about EHD. In September I talked to the CO when he came out to confirm an EHD deer in Appanoose about that. The numbers on that infographic are only the ones that an IDNR staff has confirmed, not the ones that were simply called in. They do that to retain the integrity of the data. I agree though, I found 8 in one day this spring on a single 160ac parcel in Fremont county.

That graphic does more harm than good if they are knowingly underreporting. They should issue two graphics then, one for confirmed and one for unverified.

 

[iowavf]

You're not going to see the numbers we had say eight to ten years ago no matter how many licenses you take away. Some areas will not see an increase of deer due to loss of habitat due to farming or city growth or storm damage. EHD hit heavier populated areas hard, but some areas it didn't touch. Unfortunately, good habitat will only support so many deer and needs to be managed for them to stay healthy. Some areas will have really good numbers, but those areas people hunt that's losing habitat for whatever reason, deer just aren't going to stay there and they'll be the first to yell the numbers are down, what are we going to do? I live in Cass county, You can drive around a few sections and see
brushy creek bottoms, maybe a few old homesteads, brushy fence rows and small areas of cover. Drive the same area maybe a few months later, some of those areas are gone. Deer are not going to stay there and go to the better areas which in turn more hunters say they're not seeing very many deer.

 

[Hardwood11]

I understand the limit on doe tags, but so far I’m not seeing a population crash. Matter of fact I’m seeing quite a few does. It’s a big zone, maybe my farm is the exception? Hard to say …

 

[8bitnes]

I understand the limit on doe tags, but so far I’m not seeing a population crash. Matter of fact I’m seeing quite a few does. It’s a big zone, maybe my farm is the exception? Hard to say …

Areas with lots of good habitat will continue to thrive but the loss of habitat (clearing trees out of fence rows, drainage ditches, etc...) paired with EHD has made much of Western Iowa suffer. There will continue to be pockets where herds thrive, but there are fewer herds overall

 

[Hardwood11]

It is really hard to manage an entire zone based on the fact that part of it is open farm country. There has to be a solution to this issue.

Same goes for my home state, where in one side of the highway you have limited doe tags, but on the other side you can shoot 3 does?

 

[LoessHillsArcher]

When I drive around Hardwood, I never see more than 2-4 deer in a group. Nothing like what you're seeing in those pics. Thank you for keeping the W. IA deer heard alive. lol

In all seriousness, it is tough when you feel like you need to do some management but can't. That's when they say you can use the depredation program, which is a bit of a pain, but that's their solution.

 

[Hardwood11]

When I drive around Hardwood, I never see more than 2-4 deer in a group. Nothing like what you're seeing in those pics. Thank you for keeping the W. IA deer heard alive. lol

In all seriousness, it is tough when you feel like you need to do some management but can't. That's when they say you can use the depredation program, which is a bit of a pain, but that's their solution

I can shoot one doe & a buck with my NR gun tag. I believe neighbors can shoot a doe with a Landowner tag …

 

[LoessHillsArcher]

Yes, Nonresident landowner options are different than resident landowner options. Call Aaron and see if you can get depredation tags as a nonresident land owner and if so, who can fill them. Maybe you can even?

 

[8bitnes]

Yes, Nonresident landowner options are different than resident landowner options. Call Aaron and see if you can get depredation tags as a nonresident land owner and if so, who can fill them. Maybe you can even?

Is there crops being damaged?

 

[LoessHillsArcher]

Is there crops being damaged?

DNR will determine that with the landowner. It's just an option to explore if someone wants to manage does on their land and thinks the standard regulations aren't allowing them to meet their harvest goals.

 

[Hardwood11]

Yes, Nonresident landowner options are different than resident landowner options. Call Aaron and see if you can get depredation tags as a nonresident land owner and if so, who can fill them. Maybe you can even?

I don’t think you can as NR … I personally don’t like these tags. That’s my concern is 3-4 yrs, if the population rebounds ?