I really do feel sorry for the deer biologist of Iowa. He has his work cut out for him....
As many of you have stated, the deer numbers seem too low in your areas. Also, a few have stated that deer numbers tend to be ok, or too high.
I think the main reason for such a variance across the state is due to what gets hunted, and what doesn't.
That's the problem with the current system. The doe tags are sold for a county wide basis, however, there are places in that county in which nobody can hunt for various reasons. These are the areas where deer numbers tend to be high.
Then, like most of us on this site, we don't own property, and most likely hunt the same properties in which others hunt. This is where the doe tags are being utilized, and these are the areas where we are seeing deer numbers lower than they were in previous years.
Here is an example where i'm from in Marion County. I drive a stretch of highway 92 15 miles into town. I know this area very well as I have grown up here my entire life. There are two areas along the way where I see roadkill deer every single year (you know, the ones that insurance companies complain about). When you look at the property owners along the highway where the high amount of collisions occur, you see that no permission to hunting is allowed.
One of the owners is from out of state, and allows nobody to hunt, and the other is a gentlemen who is a trophy hunter and wants the property for himself (can't blame him there).
I think it would be very interesting, although, most likely not feasible, for our insurance companies to require we tell them approimatley where the collision occured, compile everyones collision data from the year, and then look at if hunting is allowed next to these areas.
I would be willing to bet that the areas where high amounts of collisions occur, nobody is allowed to hunt, or a select few at that.
The harvesting of does makes sense on paper, but in reality, espescially in Iowa (99% private), its going to lead to a highly varied population across the state.
This is going to be a huge problem in upcoming years I think. DNR revenue from hunters is already on the decline, and as more hunters become frustrated due to the lack of sightings, more will quit all together.
Don't believe for one second that we as hunters don't have a voice in this matter. WE fund our DNR. Our thoughts and opinions will be heard, just voice them.
Do I have the answer, no, and I don't know if there is one. It's a very complex issue, with no real answers.