(Lewis) There are big changes heading into the Deer Hunting Season, as license sales open at 9:00 a.m. on August 15.
John Lorenzen from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to read the DNR’s new deer regulations prior to planning your hunt this year.
For example, Audubon, Carroll, and Greene Counties have been added to the antlered-buck-only first regular gun season.
DNR Deer Surveys conducted in 2024 showed significant decreases in the western Iowa deer herd-harvest data, reflecting a decrease in the deer population.
Lorenzen says this season brings a change in hunting zones. For example, the state will be divided into two zones (A and B). Zone A is most of the state, and regulations are similar to past years, but Zone B includes a handful of counties in northwest Iowa and west central Iowa, the closest being Shelby and Crawford Counties.
However, Zone B will largely be antlered-buck only, with the exception of a certain number of any-sex tags available on a county-by-county basis across all seasons. Lorenzen says party hunting will not be allowed in Zone B, and Zone B tags will only be usable in Zone B, and Zone A tags will only be usable in Zone A.
Lorenzen says he hopes the changes will turn the deer population in these counties around.
