Iowa’s strong deer hunting tradition will get passed on to nearly 10,000 new hunters when the youth deer hunting season opens on Saturday, Sept. 17. The early season offers hunters the opportunity to teach deer hunting, wildlife behavior and safe hunting practices to resident youths while they are under the watchful eye of a licensed adult. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources stresses that the goal of the hunt should be a positive, enjoyable and ethical experience and harvesting a deer is a bonus, not something that defines the success of a hunt. The youth season runs in conjunction with the disabled hunter deer season from the 17th through Oct. 2. Youth hunters must be under the direct supervision of an adult mentor who has a valid license and habitat fee if required. The youth license is valid statewide. Any unfilled youth tags may be used during the early or late muzzleloader season or one of the two shotgun seasons only. The youth must follow all rules specified for each season. The DNR requires that all deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered. Hunters can report their deer on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling 800-771-4692 or at any license vendor.
