DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa's popular deer hunting seasons kick off this weekend, drawing more than 100,000 hunters to the woods for the gun seasons.

The first gun season runs from December 6 to 10, followed by a second season from December 13 to 21. Hunters are expected to harvest between 55,000 and 60,000 deer during these periods, contributing significantly to Iowa's overall deer harvest.

Jace Elliott, a state deer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), noted a strong deer harvest in Eastern Iowa, which balances out lower numbers in other parts of the state.

The current harvest aligns closely with last year's numbers. Reports indicate low deer populations in Central and Western Iowa due to past hemorrhagic disease impacts.

Elliott is encouraging hunters to commun

See Full Page