Despite warm weather across much of the state, Iowa’s 2024 deer hunting season is off to a promising start, with approximately 6,000 deer harvested so far. This includes harvests from the youth and disabled hunter seasons and the opening of archery and early muzzleloader seasons, which is slightly higher than both last year and the five-year average. As crop harvests progress and temperatures cool, deer activity is expected to increase, with the peak rut season set for November, when mature bucks are most active during daylight hours. Iowa’s archery season runs through Dec. 6, then closes for gun seasons before reopening Dec. 23 to Jan. 10, 2025. Iowa’s deer population is currently experiencing a moderate outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, with around 750 mortalities reported. Additionally, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) continues to spread, with eight new counties detecting CWD-positive deer last year. Hunters are encouraged to monitor disease reports and take precautions to limit the spread of CWD. Testing of hunter-harvested deer is available in each county through local DNR staff.
