Iowa’s waterfowl hunting seasons are starting to close. The north zone duck and goose season ends Dec. 4, followed by the south zone duck and goose season on Dec. 11 and the Missouri River zone duck and goose season on Dec. 18. Goose hunting seasons reopen beginning Dec. 15 in the north zone, Dec. 22 in the south zone and Dec. 29 in the Missouri River zone.
Iowa’s deer harvest is similar to last year. As of Tuesday morning, hunters reported harvesting 51,100 deer. First shotgun season ends Dec. 5. Second shotgun season begins Dec. 8. Archery season reopens Dec. 17, along with the muzzleloader season.
Antlerless-only deer licenses are going quickly. Of the 64 counties where antlerless only licenses were available, only 28 counties have licenses remaining – two in northeast Iowa, three in central Iowa; the rest are in southern Iowa. Licenses are available until the quota fills or the season ends, whichever comes first.
The Iowa DNR is continuing to collect tissue samples for chronic wasting disease. So far, nearly 3,000 samples have been provided, which is less than half of the goal. Hunters willing to provide samples can call the local wildlife biologist. Their phone number and district map is listed on p. 45 of the hunting regulations.