With Iowa’s youth and disabled deer seasons set to begin this weekend, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff are reminding hunters not to forget the state’s new beam antler length reporting requirement. Starting this year, Iowa hunters who harvest a buck must measure and report if the animal’s main beam is above or below 14 inches. DNR Deer Biologist Jace Elliot says, “For roughly 95 percent of the deer measured, deer with antler beams less than 14 inches were one-and-a-half-year old or younger, and deer antler beams 14 inches and over were two-and-a-half-year old or older.” This information will add to the DNR’s deer population models and provide a better overall picture of the state’s deer herd. Iowa’s youth and disabled hunter seasons open Sept. 16. Early archery season begins Oct. 1. Early muzzleloader begins Oct. 14. Iowa’s first shotgun season runs from Dec. 2 through Dec. 6, while the second season is open from Dec. 9 through Dec. 17.
