Iowa?s deer harvest declines for eighth straight year in 2013

For the first time since the mid-1990s, Iowa?s deer harvest has dropped below 100,000, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Hunters reported 99,406 deer for the 2013 season, which is a decline of 14 percent, from 2012, and 34 percent from its high in 2006. The 2012 reported deer harvest was 115,606.

?Hunters responded when we asked them to reduce the size of the herd, but now we are encouraging them to work with landowners and base their harvest decisions on local herd conditions,? said Dale Garner, chief of wildlife for the Iowa DNR.

The harvest data will be used as a consideration when the DNR begins the process of discussing hunting seasons later this winter.

Deer hunters purchased 359,956 licenses, nearly 18,500 fewer than in 2012.

In 2013, 49 percent of Iowa?s deer hunters obtained one deer license; 5 percent obtained more than five deer licenses.

Deer hunting in Iowa provides an economic impact of nearly $214 million, paying more than $15 million in federal taxes and nearly $15 million in state taxes. It supports more than 2,800 jobs, and provides more than $67 million in earnings.

DNR briefs

The DNR will stock trout March 29 in Ottumwa Park Pond in Ottumwa.

Announced trout stream stocking begins April 1. A stocking schedule is available online at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/TroutFishing.aspx.

Iowa?s 2013 harvest for bobcats was 950, and the harvest for river otters was 1,122.

The season on white and blue phase snow geese and Ross? geese runs through April 15.

Iowa?s spring turkey hunting season begins with a resident youth-only season April 5-13. Turkey season 1 is April 14-17, season 2 is April 18-22, season 3 is April 23-29 and season 4 is April 30 to May 18.