(Des Moines, IA) -- Today (October 1st) is the first day of Iowa's Deer Archery season, which runs until December 4th, just before the first shotgun season.
Tyler Harms of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding bow hunters to be safe and for drivers to watch for deer. He says because of the season, and the fact that harvest is ahead of schedule, deer may be more active in the coming days.
He reminds drivers that deer are most active at dawn and dusk, and when you see one, there are likely more nearby. Harms also urges drivers to never swerve to try and miss a deer. He says the consequences of losing control of your car and getting in a wreck can be even worse than if you strike a deer.
Harms is reminding hunters to make sure they have a plan and others know where you will be hunting. He also urges hunters to be careful when using tree stands.
The DNR has seen an increase in fishing and turkey hunting license sales this year. Experts in the DNR attribute that to a desire to participate in socially distanced, outdoor activities during the COVOID-19 pandemic. Harms says it will be interesting to see if that trend continues in the deer hunting seasons.
(Photo by Sue Danielson)