Time to Secure Deer Hunting License

The forecast for Saturday has the Iowa DNR expecting hunters to come out in droves. The hunting version of “Black Friday” means the lines to purchase a license could be inconvenient for those who wait until the last minute.

The first shotgun deer season opens Saturday morning and, as of Wednesday morning, fewer than half of the expected hunters had purchased their license. The Iowa DNR expects 70,000 such hunters this first season.

Temperatures in the mid 30s and mostly sunny skies should mean that more hunters partake in the first season and don’t take their chances on the second season being as favorable.

“Good weather usually means more people will be hunting and staying in the field longer which can lead to higher success rates,” said Willie Suchy, wildlife research supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Successful hunters are reminded to report their deer harvest by midnight the day after the deer is recovered.

“Accurately reporting the harvest is an important part of Iowa’s deer management program and plays a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities,” states the DNR. “Reporting the harvest is required by law. Hunters will be checked for compliance.”

For hunters with Internet access, the online harvest reporting is the easiest way to register the deer. Hunters can report their deer online at www.iowadnr.gov or by calling the toll free reporting number 1-800-771-4692. They can also report at any license vendor.