From DNR-managed lands to the IHAP tracts, there's no shortage of well-maintained, accessible spots for those partaking in deer season this year. (Shutterstock)
October 14, 2024
By Barb Melloni
This whitetail hunting forecast for the state of Iowa is part of Game & Fish’s “Great States" project identifying the best deer-hunting states in the country. Read more: America's Top Whitetail States Iowa Hunters Should Be Happy This Season Iowa's deer season looks promising as we roll into fall with favorable conditions and substantial deer populations offering excellent opportunities for hunters. Known for its legendary whitetails, Iowa benefits from low hunting pressure and plentiful crops of corn and soybeans, which appeal to hungry deer as winter nears. Nonresidents face limited tag availability and increased costs, keeping stress low on herds across the state.
Iowa's 2024-25 deer hunting season has something for everyone, with archery, muzzleloader and shotgun opportunities staggered across the months to keep things interesting. Early archery kicks off the season in October, while late muzzleloader wraps things up in January. Dedicated segments like the youth and disabled hunts ensure that all hunters have a chance to get in the field. Alongside these varied seasons, Iowa's updated regulations—like individual permits for nonresident groups and new antlerless quotas—aim to maintain its prized whitetail population for years to come.
DID YOU KNOW?
FIRST-CLASS BUCKS Iowa has the third most Boone and Crockett deer in the nation with a total of 328 trophy bucks taken in the last 10 years.
Iowa's deer hunting season last year saw impressive participation with more than 350,000 licenses issued and a total harvest of 109,600. Archery was a standout, yielding more than 21,000 successful hunts, while Shotgun Season 1 led the pack with 25,703 deer harvested. Youth and nonresident hunters added to the excitement, proving that Iowa's hunting tradition thrives across generations and regions. From early muzzleloader to January antlerless hunts, each season brought its own challenges and rewards, showcasing the skill and dedication of Iowa's hunting community.
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Anticipated weather conditions in Iowa show a steady decline in temperature and precipitation as we move through deer hunting season into winter. Average high temperatures drop from around 80°F in September to just above freezing in January, while lows follow suit, dipping to around 20°F.
Precipitation also decreases sharply, dropping from nearly 2 inches in September to less than half an inch by January. These cooling trends mean hunters should be prepared for progressively colder and drier conditions. Layering and staying dry will be essential for those braving Iowa's late-season hunts.
Iowa’s deer density varies across the state with counties like Madison (47 deer per square mile), Guthrie (37), and Allamakee (36) leading the state with the highest densities. Other hotspots include Appanoose (40) and Clayton (34), which are also favorable for high deer populations. Meanwhile, regions such as Woodbury and Clinton show lower densities, so hunters might want to focus elsewhere for a higher likelihood of filling tags.
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Iowa's deer hunting season last year saw impressive participation with more than 350,000 licenses issued and a total harvest of 109,600. This year should bode well for those looking to put organic food on the table. (Shutterstock) With Iowa's public hunting grounds hovering around 1.3 million acres, this season offers plenty of opportunities for hunters to take advantage of accessible and diverse hunting areas across the state. From DNR-managed lands to the IHAP tracts, there's no shortage of well-maintained, accessible spots for those partaking in deer season this year. If you haven't done so already, now's the time to plan upcoming hunts to make the most of these open areas dedicated to keeping Iowa's hunting tradition alive and well.
We know deer are typically more active around dawn and dusk, but certain moon phases seem to encourage more action at specific times. When the moon's full, they're more apt to be active during the night; during a new moon, they're more likely to be moving about in the morning hours.
THAT’S A FACT
HARVEST METHODS Hunters are now able to use straight-wall cartridges during the gun seasons.
Like nature's cosmic referee, many hunters are convinced that the moon is calling the shots on whitetail behavior. The moon phases you can expect to see during deer season starts with full moon on Nov. 15 followed by a new moon on Dec. 30. The full moon returns on Jan. 14 with the new moon being on Jan. 28.
Last season, CWD testing revealed 128 positive cases out of 5,700 samples collected statewide. Bucks accounted for 80 of these cases, while does make up the remaining 48. With 5,572 negative samples, these results highlight the success of ongoing efforts to monitor and manage CWD among the state's deer population. Iowa's Department of Natural Resources continues to urge hunters to participate in testing to help track and curb the spread of this disease.
All in all, Iowa’s deer season is looking promising with solid deer numbers and favorable conditions in much of the state. Hunters can expect good movement as cooler weather settles in with peak activity likely around the rut. Success will hinge on scouting, careful stand placement and adapting to shifting food sources as crops are harvested. With a mix of strategy and patience, Iowa's hunters should expect a great season to unravel before them as we move deeper into fall.
