Keith Lusher 01.28.26
Iowa deer hunters saw a modest decline in harvest during the 2024–2025 season, though long-term data continue to suggest the state’s deer population remains stable to slightly increasing.
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, hunters reported harvesting 101,282 deer during the season, a 3% decrease from the year before. When estimates for reporting noncompliance and wounding loss are included, total hunting mortality is believed to be closer to 153,239 deer. Deer license sales also reflected a slight downturn, finishing the season down 4% compared to 2023–2024.
Antlerless deer, which include adult does and fawns, accounted for 56% of the total harvest, a figure that closely mirrors recent seasons. Antlered deer made up the remaining 44% of the harvest, including 1,164 shed-antlered bucks. Despite small year-to-year fluctuations, Iowa continues to maintain relatively stable hunter numbers compared to many Midwestern states that have experienced sharper declines.
Shotgun seasons again made up a large portion of the harvest. Combined totals from the first and second shotgun seasons were approximately 1% higher than last year, even as license sales dipped by about 2%. During those seasons, antlered bucks represented 40% of the reported harvest, while does made up 49%. Button bucks accounted for 10%, with shed-antlered bucks making up roughly 1%. The highest harvest rates per square mile continued to occur in northeastern and southern Iowa, where deer densities and access remain strong.
Archery hunters reported harvesting 19,443 deer during the season, marking a 13% decrease from the previous year. Antlered deer made up 61% of the archery harvest. Both early and late muzzleloader seasons also experienced declines, with harvest totals down 23% and 22% respectively.
Nonresident hunters reported harvesting 4,092 deer statewide, including 2,614 antlered bucks. Youth participation showed positive momentum, with licenses issued increasing 3% and reported harvest climbing 13%. Youth hunters tagged 5,361 deer, with antlered bucks making up 57% of that total.
Special management hunts held at 72 locations resulted in a harvest of 2,493 deer, most of which were antlerless. Depredation permits added another 3,551 deer to the total harvest.
Population surveys offered mixed signals. Spotlight surveys recorded a 10% decline in deer observations per 25 miles, while bowhunter observation surveys showed a 6% increase in sightings. Deer vehicle collisions declined 2% statewide. When combined with harvest data, long-term population modeling suggests Iowa’s deer herd has remained stable since 2017 and remains close to established management goals.
Disease monitoring remained a major focus throughout the season. The Iowa DNR confirmed 136 new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease, expanding the affected area to 29 counties. Testing continues through the Iowa State Universitylaboratory system.
Hemorrhagic Disease also had a significant impact in 2024, with more than 3,000 suspected cases reported statewide. Officials described it as the most severe and widespread HD outbreak in Iowa history.
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