Deer Management Zone (DMZ) Hunts

In 1990, the first deer management zone hunt (then called Special Hunts), was conducted at Springbrook State Park in Guthrie county. This came about following several years of increasing concerns regarding deer numbers and the negative impact the increasing herd could have on commodity crops as well as natural vegetation. This also followed an intensive study on deer movements in and around Springbrook and measuring the impact deer browsing was having on crops adjacent to the park.

During this time and shortly after, communities were also expressing concerns about unchecked deer numbers and their impact on ornamental plants, gardens, etc. and deer/vehicle collisions. The city of Waterloo was the first to explore the option of a controlled bow hunt within their city limits. A task force developed a set of special rules for this hunt, defining when, where and at what times bow hunting could take place. This hunt has proved successful at reducing and maintaining deer levels at a lower level and consequently reducing complaints regarding deer.

At this time, we have 18 communities and 25 state and county parks conducting these controlled hunts across Iowa.

• 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations,*.pdf
  - Deer Population Management Zone Information found on page 27
  - 2009-2010 Deer Population Management Zone Hunts found on pages 29-32
  
  
• 2009-2010 State Park DMZ Information
  - Lists of 2009-2010 State Park DMZ Hunts and Special Hunt applications
  - 2009-2010 State Park Deer Population Management Hunts,*.pdf file

	*.pdf
Contacting the Depredation Biologist in Your Area
Map: Polk County Deer Management Zone
Map: Pella Deer Management Zone
Map: Ames Deer Management Zone
Map: Marshalltown Deer Management Zone
Deer Management Zone Procedures (City Administration Guidelines)