This weekend marks the start of deer hunting season in Iowa with the opening of the youth season. An estimated 10,000 young hunters are expected to take part in opening day on Saturday, Sept. 16. “This season is all about creating a positive experience for the hunter. It’s a learning season where mentors work one on one with the youth teaching ethic and woodsmanship skills,” says Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). During youth season, licensed hunters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult mentor with a valid license and habitat fee. The season coincides with the disabled hunter season and concludes on Oct. 1. Any unfilled youth season tags are valid for use during the early or late muzzleloader season or one of the two shotgun seasons. All harvested deer must be reported to the DNR before midnight the day after the deer is recovered and can be done online at www.iowadnr.gov, calling the toll-free reporting number at 1-800-441-4692 or at any license vendor.
