Iowa’s youth deer hunting season opens Saturday, September 19th, giving young hunters an opportunity to head into the field with an adult mentor.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources expects about 10,000 young hunters to participate. The season is designed as a mentor-style hunt, allowing adults to teach deer hunting techniques, wildlife behavior and safe and ethical hunting practices.
Youth hunters must be under the direct supervision of a licensed adult mentor. Youth licenses are valid statewide for any legal deer, and party hunting with a youth tag is not allowed.
The youth season runs through October 4th and coincides with Iowa’s disabled hunter deer season.
The DNR is also reminding hunters that warm September temperatures can make proper care of harvested deer especially important. Hunters are encouraged to bring ice and make arrangements with a processor before heading into the field.
All harvested deer must be reported to the DNR by midnight the day after the deer is recovered.