Deer numbers

**swiacy** · 12-12-2012, 06:48 AM

Prior to shotgun season #1, I noticed that I had not seen near as many deer bodies along highways that I travel (SW of Creston). Actually, I had not seen any which is really unusual. When we harvested our crops we did find dead deer that had died from the "gnat in the low water" fever disease. Now that hunters have been out and about for a few weeks, what do you think will be in the public statement that the DNR will release relative to deer numbers? In our area, most hunters estimate a 25 to 50% reduction in numbers. Still an ample supply here, but we always are "blessed" with an over-supply. Any thoughts on other areas of the State?

**chuckd4735** · 12-12-2012, 07:01 AM

Last year Iowa harvested 121,407 total deer. So far this year, we are a little over 83,000, and still have another weekend of shotgun, plus about another month of muzzleloader and anterless. The numbers will probably be down again, but shouldn't be much lower then last year.

**swiacy** · 12-12-2012, 07:37 AM

I do not suspect that harvested deer numbers will be any diffferent than normal. My question is are the over-all deer numbers down, which I think they are.....significantly. 25% IMO.

**Incyte** · 12-12-2012, 07:44 AM

Deer numbers are down? I don't see the problem.

**00clone** · 12-12-2012, 07:51 AM

No shortage of deer collisions in Johnson county. Every day on my 9 mile drive on Highway 1, there is some form of schmear on the road somewhere. Granted, not all of them are from deer, but my sister in law hit one on Friday night, and I just followed a guy who hit one on Sunday night. Perhaps the large amount of wooded areas around (reservoir area, Hawkeye Wildlife Management area) has helped them get thru the drought summer better than in other areas, but definitely doesn't seem like there's a shortage over here.

**19210** · 12-12-2012, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by swiacy

I do not suspect that harvested deer numbers will be any diffferent than normal. My question is are the over-all deer numbers down, which I think they are.....significantly. 25% IMO.

I'd have to agree that overall numbers are down. I thought they were down a little last year, but this year you could really tell they were down.

With that being said, the habitat is being pushed in so that could be a factor as well. Can't blame the farmers as corn is more profitable then trees just taking up space. Besides that the deer population was out of control.

**cytech** · 12-12-2012, 08:06 AM

Last year I did not see to many deer at all in eastern Iowa. That has changed quite a bit. I would say numbers appear to be normal.

**isufan** · 12-12-2012, 08:09 AM

I agree that there are less deer. Right around here, there are still plenty of them. On my way to work last week, I had to stop on our gravel road and wait for a group of 23 deer to cross the road in front of me.

**Cycl1** · 12-12-2012, 08:30 AM

that is because they are all NE of Creston.

**Tri4Cy** · 12-12-2012, 08:39 AM

I hunt eastern Iowa (Dubuque/Jackson counties) and I would say numbers a down slightly. I have a hard time giving estimates though because the climate has been so jacked up that they are not moving in the same patterns they have for the last few years. 60 degrees during shotgun season...I'm used to fighting off frost bite.

Also, for the first time ever...my family never really saw concrete signs that the rut took place. I'm sure it did but must have been mostly at night when it was cooler.

**cytech** · 12-12-2012, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Tri4Cy

I hunt eastern Iowa (Dubuque/Jackson counties) and I would say numbers a down slightly. I have a hard time giving estimates though because the climate has been so jacked up that they are not moving in the same patterns they have for the last few years. 60 degrees during shotgun season...I'm used to fighting off frost bite.

Also, for the first time ever...my family never really saw concrete signs that the rut took place. I'm sure it did but must have been mostly at night when it was cooler.

There is a empty piece of land in Marion right next to one of my business locations. I have seen a group of deer there for years. There is a buck that I guess is around 12 points now and I have seen rut taking place in the last couple weeks.

Part of me wants to learn to bow hunt so I call haul him in, the other half really enjoys seeing the group of around 6 deer all the time when I go out there to work.

**Let's Go State** · 12-12-2012, 08:45 AM

I'd say they are up along the MO river. The hills are crawling with them, and bow hunter have had a great season.

**Tri4Cy** · 12-12-2012, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by cytech

There is a empty piece of land in Marion right next to one of my business locations. I have seen a group of deer there for years. There is a buck that I guess is around 12 points now and I have seen rut taking place in the last couple weeks.

Part of me wants to learn to bow hunt so I call haul him in, the other half really enjoys seeing the group of around 6 deer all the time when I go out there to work.

Wouldn't surprise me. When we were hunting shotgun that was the first time we saw nice bucks locked onto doe's. My family spent a TON of time in the wood during bow season. It's like the skipped first rut and didn't start until the typical 2nd rut season.

It is an absolute thrill calling in a deer and getting really close. This was my first year of bow hunting and as I mentioned in my previous post I didn't get to hunt in "typical" rut conditions but i still had my close encounters. I got a nice buck to come in to me this season after i set my bow down to ****. Check out the video I captured: Close Encounter With an Iowa Whitetail Buck - YouTube

**buf87** · 12-12-2012, 09:47 AM

Still seems like a lot in Kossuth County. My Escape made 1 less on Thanksgiving day!

**MeanDean** · 12-12-2012, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by 00clone

No shortage of deer collisions in Johnson county. Every day on my 9 mile drive on Highway 1, there is some form of schmear on the road somewhere. Granted, not all of them are from deer, but my sister in law hit one on Friday night, and I just followed a guy who hit one on Sunday night. Perhaps the large amount of wooded areas around (reservoir area, Hawkeye Wildlife Management area) has helped them get thru the drought summer better than in other areas, but definitely doesn't seem like there's a shortage over here.

Rep for using schmear in your post.