blake
Life Member
Early Muzzleloader Deer Season Begins October 16
CHARITON - Iowa's early muzzleloader deer season begins Saturday for the 7,500 residents who purchased a license before the season quota filled.
While the general quota has been filled, landowner/tenant and depredation licenses can still be obtained for this season as those licenses do not count towards the quota.
"We intentionally keep the early muzzleloader season license quota low to provide a high quality hunting experience for these hunters and to not harvest a large number of bucks before the breeding season," said Tom Litchfield, state deer biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "One of the reasons that Iowa is known for a high quality deer herd is that our regulations provide bucks some protection when they are more vulnerable."
Bucks are showing signs of preparing for the rut by making scrapes and signpost rubs.
With the frosts Iowa has experienced, look for deer to be seeking out any remaining green forage, acorns if they are available, and corn. Stand sites that take advantage of these food resources or trails connecting them to bedding areas are good bets during this season.
The early muzzleloader deer season runs from Oct. 16 - 24 and muzzleloader hunters are required to wear blaze orange. Muzzleloader hunters should remember that well camouflaged bowhunters and others who enjoy the fall countryside will be sharing the woods with them.
Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All hunters are reminded that if an antlered deer is killed, the transportation tag must be placed on the animal's antler. It is recommended that the tag be placed on the antler beam either at the base or between two points.
All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered. Accurately reporting your kill is an important part of the deer management program in Iowa, playing a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities.
Hunters can report their deer on the DNR website (www.iowadnr.gov), by calling the toll free reporting number (1-800-771-4692), or at any license vendor. For hunters with Internet access, the online reporting of your harvest is the easiest way to register your deer.
Last year, early muzzleloader hunters reported harvesting about 4,500 deer, which was a four percent increase over 2008.
CHARITON - Iowa's early muzzleloader deer season begins Saturday for the 7,500 residents who purchased a license before the season quota filled.
While the general quota has been filled, landowner/tenant and depredation licenses can still be obtained for this season as those licenses do not count towards the quota.
"We intentionally keep the early muzzleloader season license quota low to provide a high quality hunting experience for these hunters and to not harvest a large number of bucks before the breeding season," said Tom Litchfield, state deer biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "One of the reasons that Iowa is known for a high quality deer herd is that our regulations provide bucks some protection when they are more vulnerable."
Bucks are showing signs of preparing for the rut by making scrapes and signpost rubs.
With the frosts Iowa has experienced, look for deer to be seeking out any remaining green forage, acorns if they are available, and corn. Stand sites that take advantage of these food resources or trails connecting them to bedding areas are good bets during this season.
The early muzzleloader deer season runs from Oct. 16 - 24 and muzzleloader hunters are required to wear blaze orange. Muzzleloader hunters should remember that well camouflaged bowhunters and others who enjoy the fall countryside will be sharing the woods with them.
Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All hunters are reminded that if an antlered deer is killed, the transportation tag must be placed on the animal's antler. It is recommended that the tag be placed on the antler beam either at the base or between two points.
All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered. Accurately reporting your kill is an important part of the deer management program in Iowa, playing a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities.
Hunters can report their deer on the DNR website (www.iowadnr.gov), by calling the toll free reporting number (1-800-771-4692), or at any license vendor. For hunters with Internet access, the online reporting of your harvest is the easiest way to register your deer.
Last year, early muzzleloader hunters reported harvesting about 4,500 deer, which was a four percent increase over 2008.