Iowa deer numbers down

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The number of deer killed during the recent shotgun seasons in Iowa is down about 9 percent from last year and about 30 percent lower than in 2006.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released the deer kill numbers Wednesday, saying about 70,000 deer were taken during the recent hunting seasons.

The chief of the Iowa DNR Wildlife Bureau, Dale Garner, says the reduced kill is the result of a reduced deer population in the state. He says the number of deer is near the state’s objective and hunters are being encouraged to be more selective.

Officials say they will review the harvest and deer population and make proposals to stabilize the deer population.