Two southeast Iowa men charged after deer were shot and abandoned

DES MOINES – Multiple charges were filed against two southeast Iowa men following an Iowa Department of Natural Resources investigation into several deer that had been shot and left to rot.

Ryan Matthew Greiner, 30, of Morning Sun and Treyton Hartman, 19, of Yarmouth, were charged after search warrants on their residences in Morning Sun and Yarmouth were conducted on Jan. 22nd. The deer, which had been shot with rifles, were reported to the DNR by the public.

Greiner was charged with the following:



18 charges of unlawful take/possession/transportation of a white tail deer.
18 charges of not having a valid deer tag
7 charges of abandonment of dead or injured wildlife
2 charges of hunting deer with a motor vehicle
1 charge of unlawful possession of a non-game species (raptor foot)
1 charge of failure to report harvest
1 charge of hunting by artificial light
1  charge of no state migratory fee


In addition to the game charges, Greiner was also charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of marijuana and two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

The charges against Greiner have a total possible fine of $7,503 as well as liquidated damages of $67,000 for 18 deer.

Hartman was charged and found guilty of the following charges:



One charge of not having a fur harvesting license
One charge of abandonment of dead or injured wildlife
One charge of hunting with artificial light
One charge of not having a deer tag
One charge of unlawful take of a whitetail deer - $4,000 damages assessed
One additional charge of unlawful take of a whitetail deer - $1500 damages assessed
The DNR received assistance on the investigation from the wildlife forensic laboratory of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in analyzing DNA evidence relative to the case.

The DNR Law Enforcement Bureau also expresses gratitude to members of the public who reported the dead deer which led to the investigation and charges.

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More than 25,000 acres of private land open to hunting this fall in Iowa

Iowa hunters this fall will have access to hunt on more than 25,000 acres of private land on 132 sites around the state as part of a program that helps landowners improve habitat on portions of their land in exchange for allowing hunter access.

The Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) provide expertise and funding to landowners who are interested in improving wildlife habitat on their property. Landowner participation varies from three to 10 years depending upon the contracts.

“Hunters told us they felt access to private land was an important step to improving their hunting experience and to attracting new hunters to the outdoors. We were fortunate to have this opportunity to provide them with access to these areas through the IHAP,” said Kelly Smith, private lands program coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources who manages the IHAP.

Areas are posted with signs, are regularly patrolled by Iowa DNR conservation officers and will be treated like public hunting ground, with the noted exception that it is private property.

“Hunters should respect private property, stay on the land enrolled in the program and pick up after themselves,” Smith said. “This program is only available because landowners were willing to participate in it.”

Site maps are available at www.iowadnr.gov/ihap showing boundaries, which species would be most likely attracted to the habitat and the location of a checkout box where hunters are asked to leave their comments on the program. The checkout cards are used to evaluate the program to see if hunters are getting what they expected from the program.

Walk-in public hunting through IHAP is available between September 1 and May 31. The IHAP is supported with money from Federal Farm Bill and Habitat Stamp.

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Extra Help for Hunting Acreage in Iowa

Iowa’s Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) will begin accepting new land for enrollment this summer after the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the farm bill.

More than 8,000 acres was enrolled as part of the pilot program in 2011-14, providing much needed wildlife habitat on private land.

Landowners with land currently enrolled in a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) could receive additional benefits by participating in IHAP. 

“This program allows landowners to meet their mid-contract management requirements of their CRP agreement, including out-of-pocket expenses,” said Kelly Smith, private lands program coordinator for the DNR. “Plus, the incentive rates could cover financial responsibilities under CRP, and any extra costs associated with developing higher quality habitat.”

Landowners interested in installing wildlife habitat or improving existing habitat should contact the DNR who will visit their property and together write a habitat plan that is submitted for consideration. If accepted, the DNR will provide an incentive payment in exchange for the landowner installing the habitat. Landowners determine the length of the agreement, ranging from three to 10 years, and participation is completely voluntary.

A list of DNR wildlife staff who works with landowners is available atwww.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/WildlifeLandownerAssistance.aspx.

The agreement allows hunters access to the portion of the property covered by the agreement, from Sept. 1 to May 31. Conservation officers will provide assistance and enforcement, if needed.

Increasing hunter access has been a focal point within the DNR and this program is an effort to address that need. The DNR placed survey boxes at existing IHAP locations and information submitted indicated hunters were satisfied with their experience and would like to see the program expanded. 

“Hopefully landowner interest in the program will continue and we can expand wildlife habitat and hunter access on private land,” Smith said.

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IOWA DEER HARVEST TOPS 101,000

Iowa deer hunters reported harvesting about 101,500 deer in 2014, which is an increase from 99,414 harvested in 2013. Although this is a slight increase it is still 33 percent lower than the peak harvest of 150,552 reported in 2006.

Hunters reported harvesting 6 percent fewer does (47,079), 15 percent more bucks (44,495), and fewer button bucks and shed antlered deer, than last year.  The reduction in doe harvest is part of the management plan to allow the herd to stabilize.

The harvest data will be added to population surveys and hunter and landowner input when officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources discuss seasons and regulations this spring.

The harvest increase is likely due to good weather during the first shotgun deer season and increased hunter success during the late muzzleloader season.  Iowa’s deer seasons closed January 10.

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TREESTAND SAFETY

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bow hunters preparing for the upcoming season should check all their gear to make sure it is in proper working order, especially treestands and safety harnesses, before heading to the timber.

“Falls associated with tree stand use are the most common hunting incidents during the bow season,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “Hunters should always wear a safety harness and use caution when climbing.”

Wisecup said there are a number of tips hunters can use to prevent injury when using a treestand.

“Make sure to select a tree that fits the tree stand recommended limits and follow the three point rule of tree stand safety – always have three points of contact to the steps or ladder before moving,” she said.

“That could be two arms and one leg holding and stepping on the ladder or one arm and two legs in contact with the ladder before moving. And remember the elements – the rain, frost, ice or snow can cause steps to become slippery so check the security of the step before placing your weight on it.”

Other safety tips include using a haul line to pull gear and the unloaded firearm or bow to the stand and hunters should never climb with anything in their hands or on their back.  When exiting the stand, use the haul line to lower the gear on the opposite side of the tree.

“Get familiar with the safety harness. Read the instructions for it and for the tree stand itself so you know how to use it properly and know its limitations,” Wisecup said. 

Falls from tree stands are required to be reported to the DNR if a person seeks medical attention for an injury received while entering, exiting or sitting in a stand.

“The basic rules of tree stand safety don’t apply to just bow hunters, but to firearm hunters using an elevated device or stand,” she said.  “We want everyone to be safe out there. The goal at the end of every hunt is to arrive home safely.”

ARCHERY DEER HUNTING SEASON OPENS OCTOBER 1

Iowa’s popular archery deer season begins Oct. 1, with nearly 60,000 hunters expected to head to the timber.

Hunters can expect to find similar or slightly fewer deer versus last year.

“When we have good weather during the growing season like we did this year, there is a lot of available food for wildlife, including deer, so I suspect hunters could have a good year,” said Willie Suchy, wildlife research supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Early in the season, the deer herd will have plenty of places to hide as the corn harvest is just getting underway. In these conditions, hunting food sources initially, and then preparing for the rut in late October through mid November is a common strategy.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) that impacted the deer herd in certain local areas was not reported in 2014. Deer will begin moving in to those areas where a void was created by the disease in 2012 and 2013.

The archery season closes on Dec. 5 for the shotgun deer hunting seasons, and then opens again on Dec. 22 until Jan. 10, 2015. Deer regulations are similar to last year with no changes other than fewer paid antlerless deer license in many counties.

There is a listing online of special deer hunts often associated with state parks or urban areas that bow hunters can participate. These hunts, at www.iowadnr.gov/deerhunting, often have extra requirements and the local host organization should be contacted for more information.

All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered.  Accurately reporting the kill is an important part of Iowa’s deer management program and plays a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities. 

Hunters can report their deer on the DNR website www.iowadnr.gov, by calling the toll free reporting number 1-800-771-4692, or at any license vendor.  For hunters with Internet access, the online reporting of your harvest is the easiest way to register your deer.

Hunters reported harvesting 20,278 deer during the 2013 archery season.

NO ADDITIONAL DEER TEST POSITIVE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

Identifying Animals at Risk from CWD. A raccoon family feeds on a deer carcass staked out by researchers at the University of Wisconsin, in a study aimed at determining which species could be at risk of contracting CWD. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A deer shot during the regular gun season in Allamakee County was the lone positive out of more than 4,000 samples collected from 2013/14 looking for the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Iowa.

That positive sample from a wild deer was the focus of three public meetings in April, where the DNR engaged Allamakee and Clayton County residents to work together to increase surveillance and the number of deer samples collected in a five mile radius from where the positive deer was harvested.

“This additional surveillance, along with more than 1,100 deer sampled in the past 12 years in this immediate area, will help us to determine if CWD has spread to other deer. If no further cases are found in the next three years, we will go back to routine testing,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  “If additional cases are found, we will work with the public to decide how to proceed.”

Since 2002, the Iowa DNR has sampled nearly 51,000 wild deer and 3,500 captive deer and elk for CWD. A majority of samples came from 11 counties in northeast Iowa, which is the area closest to the CWD endemic areas in Wisconsin and Illinois, and Minnesota’s southeast containment area.

Sampling effort also concentrated on three areas surrounding captive facilities that had animals test positive in Iowa in 2012 and the area north of where Missouri’s positive CWD deer have been found.

No additional positive CWD results have been found in wild deer. The DNR is encouraging the public to report all road kill deer, and sick or severely emaciated deer found in the targeted area by calling563-546-7962 or 563-380-3422.

IOWA HAS SAFE HUNTING YEAR IN ‘13

With no fatalities, 11 injuries and six cases of property damage, Iowa hunters matched a record low in 2013; continuing a decade long run of safe hunting seasons. That 17-incident year tied 2008, though ’08 did register a gun related fatality. Still, when any incident could result in tragedy, the goal is ‘zero’ across the board.

“We continue seeing a trend of self-inflicted incidents. There were seven this year. That has stayed pretty steady over the last four, five years,” reviews Megan Wisecup, safety education programs coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources. “It gets back to basic firearm handling. Point the muzzle in a safe direction. Keep your finger off the trigger, until ready to shoot. And take an extra minute when crossing obstacles to unload.”

A jacket drawstring….a handgun falling from a truck…thick brush on a creek bank. Each triggered a gun to fire in 2013. Linn, Marion and Floyd counties each recorded two 2013 incidents. The others were spread among 11 central, eastern and north-central counties.

The key to the long term drop can be traced directly to many Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons…in mandatory hunter education classrooms and outdoor safety courses.

“Back in the 60s; we were seeing over 100 incidents and up to 20 fatalities a year,” underscores Wisecup. “Hunter education--voluntary since 1960—became mandatory in 1983. Since then, we have seen a drastic drop in the numbers of hunting incidents.”

There were 11,505 Iowa students certified in 368 classes 2013. The 10 hour sessions, usually spread over two or three days, teach basic understanding of hunting regulations, first aid and ethics, as well as safe firearm handling, and wildlife understanding; all under the watchful eyes of nearly 1,300 volunteer instructors.

“We like the traditional classes for younger students; those 12 up to 16 years old,” outlines Pat Jorgensen, recreational safety officer for the DNR, in eastern Iowa. “They get a lot more hands-on type learning; live firing, a safety trail with ‘shoot/don’t shoot’ scenarios. They handle firearms in a safe manner.”

The classes and emphasis evolve over time. For instance an ‘online only’ course is now available for adults; recognition that work schedules and juggling family commitments don’t always leave two or three days in a row to sit through a class.

Even the areas of emphasis are updated through the years. With upwards of 50,000 archery deer hunters, now; a noticeable climb in tree stand falls—some fatal—brings special attention to tree stand safety.

“We focus more on putting up stands; carrying equipment up and down the tree,” says Jorgensen. “Using three point contact climbing (meaning three hands/feet are in contact with the ladder or stand at all times), too.”

And the emphasis on safety continues in the stand. A decade ago, most tree stand hunters slid a single strap around their waist…if that. Now, full body harnesses are recommended.

“Still, people are not always properly wearing them. That has resulted in injuries…and death,” warns Jorgensen. There were two fatal bowhunting falls in 2012.

In upland game or deer hunting, firearm hunters are wearing more blaze orange than years past. The minimum might be a ‘torso covered’ (deer hunting) or an item ‘at least 50 percent blaze orange,’ (upland game), however, instructors stress that more is always better;

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BOWHUNTER ED OFFERS NEW IOWA ONLINE-ONLY BOWHUNTER EDUCATION COURSE

bowhunting (Photo credit: birdtrouble)

A new online bowhunter education course is designed to help Iowa bowhunters improve their skills and stay safe in the woods.

Bowhunter Ed, which is an official course of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation, teaches safe in-the-field practices, bow shooting basics, different methods of bowhunting, and shot placement and recovery techniques. By completing this Bowhunter Ed course, students satisfy bowhunter educational requirements for the state of Iowa, with no field day required.

“The bowhunter-ed.com course is Iowa’s official online bowhunter education course. The training is a great idea for new or experienced bowhunters because they learn safe practices and study information that will truly help them in the field,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The new online bowhunter education course allows students to study for free, paying only when they pass the course. The course is mobile friendly so students can take the course on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or other device. It features easy-to-understand information, instructional videos, plus detailed illustrations and animations to help students become better, more prepared bowhunters.

To take the Iowa-approved bowhunter education course, visit http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/iowa/.

Students must be at least 18 years of age to register for and complete the online course.  While bowhunter education isn’t required in some states, several states and provinces do require bowhunter education.

The Iowa Bowhunter Ed course will satisfy the bowhunter education requirements mandated by Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Nova Scotia and Quebec Canada.

“Bowhunting seasons will be here before you know it so there’s no better time than now to complete your education,” said Marilyn Bentz, executive director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation.

For more information regarding the NBEF or becoming an instructor, contact the National Bowhunter Education Foundation atinfo@nbef.org or visit http://www.nbef.org/. To take an online bowhunter education course, visit http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/.

IOWA’S DEER HARVEST DECLINED FOR EIGHTH STRAIGHT YEAR

For the first time since the mid-1990s, Iowa’s deer harvest has dropped below 100,000. Hunters reported 99,406 deer for the 2013 season, which is a decline of 14 percent, from 2012, and 34 percent from its high in 2006. The 2012 reported deer harvest was 115,606.

 “Hunters responded when we asked them to reduce the size of the herd, but now we are encouraging them to work with landowners and base their harvest decisions on local herd conditions,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The harvest data will be used as a consideration when the DNR begins the process of discussing hunting seasons later this winter.

Deer hunters purchased 359,956 licenses, nearly 18,500 fewer than in 2012.

Deer hunting in Iowa provides an economic impact of nearly $214 million, paying more than $15 million in federal taxes and nearly $15 million in state taxes. It supports more than 2,800 jobs, and provides more than $67 million in earnings.

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IOWA DNR TO CONTINUE SURVEILLANCE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease April, 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DNR wildlife staff will again be in the field during Iowa’s shotgun deer seasons, collecting samples to test for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Iowa’s wild deer herd. The effort will concentrate on portions of Northeast Iowa near Wisconsin and Illinois as well as in Wapello, Davis, Pottawattamie and Cerro Gordo counties, following positive tests from captive facilities in or near those counties last year.

Many of the samples will be collected during the first half of December, as more than 120,000 hunters take part in Iowa’s shotgun deer seasons and deer harvested during those seasons are major sources of samples. Sampling—which involves removing and testing the brain stem and lymph nodes--has been done on free ranging deer across Iowa for years. Many hunters voluntarily contribute samples of their harvested deer for these testing efforts.  Most samples are obtained by wildlife staff, checking with hunters in the field or at home processing points.

DNR has historically focused its sampling efforts heaviest in northeast Iowa, after Wisconsin and Illinois yielded positive cases in recent years.  After the positive findings in captive herds in 2012, DNR focused additional testing in those counties identified above. Sampling in northeast Iowa for the 2013-2014 seasons will continue at a slightly lower intensity in order to accommodate the additional testing in Davis, Wapello, Pottawattamie and Cerro Gordo Counties.

Since 2002, more than 47 thousand wild deer in Iowa have been tested, with no positive CWD result in the wild herd detected to date. “We are hopeful CWD has not spread into Iowa’s deer herd. The only way to know this is to continue to collect samples and do the testing. We will work through all hunting seasons, with the peak being the shotgun seasons in December,” said Dr. Dale Garner, Wildlife Bureau Chief.

Iowa DNR’s website provides information about CWD and other information on infectious disease at:  http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/DeerHunting/CWDEHDInformation.aspx

BASIC FIREARM RULES ARE IMPORTANT FOR A SAFE HUNT

The first of Iowa’s two shotgun deer seasons opens on Dec. 7, and while optimism for a successful hunt is the primary focus, hunters are encouraged to brush up on safe hunting practices.

Basic firearm rules are pretty straight forward: always point the muzzle in a safe direction; treat every firearm as though it were loaded; unload the firearm and open the action, especially when crossing obstacles, until you are ready to shoot; keep the barrel clear and choose the proper ammunition.

“Our deer hunting tradition is shared with our friends and our family,” said Megan Wisecup, hunter education administrator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  “Practicing safe hunting techniques is important to make sure we all get home at the end of the day.”

An estimated 140,000 hunters are expected to take to the timber during Iowa’s two shotgun deer seasons and Wisecup said self inflicted injuries and property damage continue to be prominent.

“Those incidents could be avoided by simply following the basic rules of firearm safety and ensuring there is a safe backdrop prior to taking a shot,” she said.

“Hunters tend to get fixated on their target and when a deer is running, they forget about their surroundings. Look beyond your target and clearly identify the target before taking the shot,” Wisecup said.  “You must be certain you have a clear, safe shot. Never point your firearm at anything you do not want to shoot.”

That advice can help to prevent self inflicted wounds as well. 

Wisecup encouraged hunters to wear plenty of blaze orange and to discuss the hunting plan with everyone in the group.

“You want to be seen from all sides in the woods,” she said.  “It is also important to discuss the hunting plan that will outline the role for each person and where they will be during the hunt.  Plan your hunt and hunt your plan.  It is critical to communicate with your hunting partners to ensure everyone knows where each other is at all times.”

In 2012, there were nine deer hunting related incidents in Iowa: five personal injuries and four property damage.  There were no deer hunting fatalities in 2012.

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DEER DONATION PROGRAM BENEFITS IOWANS IN NEED

Iowa’s popular deer donation program Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) is entering into its second decade as a tool connecting hunters, lockers and hungry Iowans.

The program is pretty simple – hunters contact a participating locker before bringing in a whole, field-dressed deer, and once at the locker, they fill out a donation card. The locker processes the deer into two pound packages of ground meat. The Food Bank of Iowa then coordinates collecting the valuable protein and distributes it to local food pantries.

“Iowa deer hunters do an excellent job of using available doe tags to reduce the deer herd which simultaneously provides a needed  high protein product to the Food Bank of Iowa,” said Jim Coffey, who coordinates the HUSH program for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Bureau.  

Iowa’s HUSH program is considered a major success nationally and Coffey is often contacted by other states looking to replicate it.

Since its inception, Iowa hunters have donated more than 56,000 deer to the program. Donations peaked at about 8,000 deer in 2007.  The 5,281 deer donated by hunters in 2012 resulted in 800,000 meals being provided to needy Iowa families.

“The steady decline in donations parallels the decline in the size of the deer herd,” Coffey said. “As the herd size is reduced, hunters should work with their local landowners to harvest the number of deer that is acceptable and if they are not seeing the number of deer that they expect, it may be time to pass up on taking the extra doe.”

Iowa’s bow season is open until Dec. 6, and then reopens Dec. 23 to Jan. 10, 2014. Shotgun season one is Dec. 7-11. Shotgun season two is Dec. 14-22.

To find one of the 89 lockers participating in HUSH go to www.iowahush.com or see the list on page 34 of the2013-14 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations.

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Wisconsin DNR offers five ways to find a place to hunt

If you are still looking for a place to hunt this fall, or if you have questions about public

land you frequent, check out the following links for information on public lands and private lands open to public hunting. Additionally, Department of Natural Resources experts will host a live online chat to answer your questions about accessing these hunting lands, including state parks, and using DNR’s open lands mapping tools, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, starting at noon.

To join the Nov. 20 chat, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “ask the experts.”

In the meantime, click on the links below to learn more about some of the public hunting access opportunities in Wisconsin.

The DNR’s Explore Outdoors Web page allows people to search millions of acres of public lands by county, by proximity to a city, by type of property or by one of 22 listed outdoor activities, including hunting. Search results allow you to read about and view detailed maps of DNR properties, including:

State Wildlife Areas are managed primarily for hunting.

Most State Parks are open to certain types of hunting for two months of the year, with new guidelines coming soon.

Most DNR-owned State Natural Areas are open to hunting.

The department’s Managed Lands website at allows you to interactively map most public lands in the state.

Voluntary Public Access (VPA) is a DNR program that provides incentives to private landowners who open their property to public hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife observation. Maps are available on the DNR website.

Through the Managed Forest Law (MFL) and Forest Crop Law (FCL) programs, some private forest lands are open to the public for recreational purposes. A new DNR Private Forest Lands Open to Public Recreation Web mapping application allows people to use an interactive tool for mapping these private forest lands that are open to public hunting and other forms of outdoor recreation.

Agricultural properties enrolled in the Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program (WDACP) are another option to consider when looking for properties to hunt. More information on WDACP as well as a list of properties enrolled in the program that are open to the public for hunting the species causing damage can be found on the DNR website. Hunters must contact the producer before they hunt.

Other resources for information on public lands open to hunting outside of DNR include the following (all links exit DNR).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service owns several large and small properties in Wisconsin that are open to public hunting. Seewww.fws.gov/midwest/news/wisconsin.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service owns and manage waterfowl production areas in Wisconsin. These properties are typically open to hunting. You can find out more about these sites including an interactive map.

The U.S. Forest Service manages the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, 1.5 million acres open for hunting in northern Wisconsin.

“Wisconsin has a wealth of lands, both public and private, that are open to the public for hunting,” said Doug Haag, DNR Realty Operations chief. “These links are not an exhaustive representation of the opportunities, rather a snapshot of DNR programs that may help people locate places to hunt. Other resources not specifically linked here include County GIS sites, County plat books, and several printed mapping products available in local sporting goods stores.”

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IOWA DEER HUNTERS HAVING ANOTHER GOOD SEASON

This week is the heart of the rut and deer hunters are having good results, although they are reporting seeing many fewer deer. The number of licenses sold and the number of

deer taken are similar to last year, but lower than its peak in 2006.

However, there is still time to take advantage of the 2013 bow season. Iowa’s deer are among the most sought after big game in the country and the season runs through Jan. 10, 2014.

“The reported harvest for the early muzzleloader season and the deer season for youth and disabled hunters were very similar to last year,” said Willie Suchy, wildlife research supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 20,000 deer have been reported through the harvest reporting system which is nearly identical to this time last year. Hunters are required to report any deer taken with 24 hours after the deer is recovered.

 “Harvest information is a very important management tool for Iowa’s deer herd,” said Suchy.

The DNR uses the harvest and deer population trend surveys to evaluate the results after all seasons end in January. Iowa’s upcoming shotgun seasons in December are when most deer are taken.

Hunters can report the harvest on line at www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/DeerHunting/ReportYourHarvest.aspx or by phone at 1-800-771-4692.

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) has been reported in Iowa again this fall but at a lower level than in 2012. If hunters find dead or decomposing deer near water, they should report the finding to either their local conservation officer or wildlife biologist.

Hunters who are seeing fewer deer may want to refrain from shooting does even if there are antlerless licenses available in their county.

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PARTNERSHIP REDUCES DEER HERD, HELPS TO FEED IOWANS IN NEED

It has been 10 years since the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Food Bank of Iowa joined to promote a new program to help reduce the size of Iowa’s deer herd, and help Iowans in need receive a healthy meal.

The Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) program allows hunters to donate any legally harvested deer to a participating locker as a way to encourage hunters to harvest more deer.

Lockers process the donated deer into ground venison in specially labeled two pound packages that are picked up by the local food bank and distributed in the community. HUSH lockers have processed 56,000 donated deer providing more than 11 million meals since the program began.

This program exemplifies Iowans helping Iowans.

“We asked our hunters to harvest additional deer to reduce the herd size and the HUSH program gave them an option to donate the additional venison to help their fellow Iowans in need,” said Jim Coffey, who coordinates the HUSH program for the DNR. “We have a lot of lockers who enjoy the program and participate because it supports their local community.”

"We are so grateful for this partnership and program,” says Carey Miller, executive director of the Food Bank of Iowa. “It has helped put a high protein, low fat product into the hands of hungry Iowans.”

Since its inception, the program served an important role to help reduce the deer herd, but that role will be changing.

As the deer population approaches the management goal, the program will not be used as much for population control as it will be for certain situations, like hunters wanting to support their local food bank or for hunters participating in special population management hunts in urban areas or park settings.

The Iowa program is viewed nationally as one to emulate and states from Hawaii to Nebraska call on Coffey looking for the recipe to replicate Iowa’s success.

“We have the backing of our state legislature and that really is the secret to our success,” he said.

Every deer license sold includes a $1 fee that supports the HUSH program. The program is administered through the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund of the Iowa DNR.

Lockers are paid $75 for each HUSH deer processed and participation in the program is voluntary. In 2012, 89 lockers participated in the HUSH program.

The Food Bank of Iowa received $5 per deer to pick up and distribute the venison.

More information on the DNR’s HUSH program is available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/DeerHunting/HelpUsStopHungerHUSH.aspx

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IOWA NEW HUNTING ATLAS AVAILABLE ONLINE

English: Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hunters have a new tool that may improve their in the field experience even before opening day.

The Iowa hunting atlas is an interactive map that shows 600,000 acres of public hunting land that is owned by the state, county or federal governments. The atlas is available online at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting.

A click on an area will show basic information like zone and open season, and links to maps, if available.

The atlas view from above allows hunters to zoom in on an area, see how to get there, the lay of the land and where one parcel of public hunting land is in relation to others. Information will be updated as public hunting lands are acquired.

Monica Thelen, who spearheaded the project for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the atlas is currently usable on computers and tablets and they are working toward a version of the map for mobile phones.

“This is current information at their fingertips, available 24 hours a day that hunters can access to plan their hunts,” Thelen said. “The best way to use the atlas is to spend time getting familiar with it. Spring turkey hunting begins in April so there is an opportunity here for hunters to find a new place to hunt public land using the atlas.”

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Iowa HUNTERS REPORTED 5,800 FEWER DEER HARVESTED IN 2012

Iowa’s deer harvest declined for the seventh straight year as hunters adjust to the smaller herd, and to fewer antlerless tags. Hunters reported 115,606 deer to the harvest reporting system for the 2012 season, a decline of nearly 5 percent. The harvest is down 23 percent from its high in 2006.

Deer hunters purchased 378,447 licenses, nearly 14,500 fewer than in 2011, due to the elimination of the three-day November antlerless season, a shortening of the January antlerless season, and reduced antlerless license quotas in some counties.

“Hunters are doing their part to help us manage the deer herd by judiciously using available antlerless tags in counties were we would like to reduce the population, and by working with landowners to be more selective in other areas,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Deer hunting seasons stretch from September to middle January providing different types of hunting opportunities to Iowa hunters.

Deer hunting is also big business in Iowa, providing an economic impact of nearly $214 million, paying more than $15 million in federal taxes and nearly $15 million in state taxes. It supports more than 2,800 jobs, and provides more than $67 million in earnings.

The harvest data will be used as a consideration when the DNR begins the process of discussing hunting seasons later this winter.

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