21-05-2025
DNR proposes deer hunting regulations for western Iowa
HINTON, Iowa (KCAU) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources presented new deer hunting regulations for western Iowa through a series of presentations.
The goal is to provide hunters the opportunity to give feedback on the proposed regulations.
The Iowa DNR said the vast majority of hunters are supporting the proposed regulations as they see less deer when hunting. The DNR added there are multiple reasons for the loss of deer population in western Iowa.
'We've certainly lost a lot of habitat in the last 20 years, mostly in the form of grasslands and timber being lost,' said Jace Elliott, the state deer biologist for the Iowa DNR. 'We've also had some sustained disease outbreaks like EHD and bluetongue have certainly had their bad years here, and the deer population is seeing its effects, and we've also had historically a lot of doe harvest in the past that may have not been sustainable.'
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The DNR said, because of the reduced population, they need to reduce doe harvest in some way, and the regulations are the most efficient way.
'We're looking at proposing changes to the general any sex tag, as such, and maybe moving more towards a buck only category of tag which is so far been very popular with folks,' said Elliott.
The next meeting will take place tomorrow in Sioux Center at the Sandy Hollow Lodge at 6:30 p.m.
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