DES MOINES – Iowa deer hunters reported harvesting about 101,500 deer in 2014, which is an increase from 99,414 harvested in 2013. Although this is a slight increase, it is still 33 percent lower than the peak harvest of 150,552 reported in 2006.
Hunters reported harvesting 6 percent fewer does (47,079), 15 percent more bucks (44,495), and fewer button bucks and shed antlered deer, than last year. The reduction in doe harvest is part of the management plan to allow the herd to stabilize.
The harvest data will be added to population surveys and hunter and landowner input when officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources discuss seasons and regulations this spring.
The harvest increase is likely due to good weather during the first shotgun deer season and increased hunter success during the late muzzleloader season. Iowa’s deer seasons closed January 10.
