blake
Life Member
Sorry everyone, I am getting this out 4 days late. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif
From the Iowa DNR:
IOWA DEER SEASON UNDERWAY WITH OPENING OF YOUTH, DISABLED HUNTER SEASON SATURDAY
The 2008/09 Iowa deer season gets underway Saturday with the opening ofthe Youth and Disabled hunter season. This early season provides an opportunity for young hunters to learn about wildlife behavior and safe hunting practices under the guidance of a licensed adult.
For many young hunters, this will be their first experience deer hunting, and mentors are encouraged to take the needs of the new hunter into account when planning the hunt. Most young hunters may not be able to sit as long or as still, shoot as far or have the patience of their mentor. The goals of the young hunter may be vastly different from the seasoned deer hunter. Thus,a positive, enjoyable, and ethical experience should be the main goal, and harvesting a deer should be considered a bonus. Whether or not the young hunter takes a deer or not should not define whether the hunt was a success.
The youth and disabled hunter season also is conducive for young and disabled hunters because temperatures are still typically warm. But keep in mind, late summer hunting also means contending with an abundance of foliage,which limits visibility, and biting insects,so be prepared. However, deer are still in their summer movement patterns, which make them more predictable than they will be later on in the year.
Hunters should also consider early summer flooding may have altered deer movement patterns due to changes in food resources, both in the woods and in bottomland agricultural fields. The white oaks have already begun to drop acorns this year(earlier than normal) and this mast crop is always a reliable attractant for deer.
Trails connecting feeding and bedding areas are good bets when deer are still in summer patterns and keeping their activities to a minimum. Often early season animals have become accustomed to lower levels of human activity in the woods so care should be taken while scouting and hunting to avoid disturbing animals that have spent the summer in infrequently visited woodlots or fields.
All hunters are reminded of a <u>new tagging requirement for 2008 that requires a hunter who kills an antlered buck to place the transportation tag on the animal¹s antler. It is recommended that the tag be placed on the antler beam either at the base or between two points.</u>
The Disabled and Youth deer seasons run Sept. 20th through Oct. 5, and hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered. Harvest reporting is a very important part of the deer management program in Iowa, playing a vital role in managing deer populations and hunting opportunities. Hunters can report their deer on the DNR website http://www.iowadnr.com or by calling the toll free reporting number (1-800-771-4692), or at any license vender.
For more information, contact Tom Litchfield, state deer biologist at (641) 774-2958.