North Iowa Outdoors: Deer Hunting License Distribution Changes

The Iowa DNR is making changes to the way licenses are distributed for deer hunting after several years of getting input. State deer biologist Jace Elliott says the change is for resident licenses.

The biggest impact is in northwest Iowa.

Crawford, Ida, Lyon, O’Brien, Plymouth, Shelby, Sioux and Woodbury are the counties in that zone. Elliott says there are a variety of factors that have impacted the deer population in those counties, including disease outbreaks.

Elliott says they hope the northwest Iowa restrictions will help build the deer population back in those counties.

He says the restrictions on hunting are about the only thing they can do to try and help the deer recover. Elliott says hunters will have to make a decision on which zone they want to hunt in.

Elliott says they held more then one dozen meetings over the last three years in Western Iowa to come up with the plan.

He says he wants to thank all of those who turned out to the meetings and gave their input to allow the DNR to work together with them.