Iowa’s Archery Deer Hunting Season Begins Saturday

Iowa DNR estimates 60,000 hunters will take part in archery deer season which begins Saturday.

With drier conditions statewide, many crop fields will be harvested earlier in the archery season. DNR says this will create more daytime deer activity in places archery hunters tend to target, such as timber lands and wooded edges.

Results of Iowa’s annual spring spotlight survey indicates a slightly increased deer population over the last couple years. The 2021 survey showed four percent more deer compared to the 2019 survey.

Changes in deer seasons this year includes an adjustment to the antlerless deer quota in 17 counties. The Population Management January antlerless-only season will be offered in six counties, including Decatur and Wayne if the number of unsold antlerless licenses exceeds 100 tags. The Excess Tag January antlerless-only season is new to the 2022 – 2023 season and will be held in any county that still has unsold county antlerless tags by January 10th. Only centerfire .223 caliber rifles and above will be allowed during this season.

Iowa DNR and the Food Bank of Iowa, together with 29 meat lockers will once again participate in the Help Us Stop Hunger program this year. Hunters may sign up as a deer donor with the Iowa Deer Exchange at iowadnr.gov/deer.