Deer Management 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.

Deer Management Zone hunts have been successfully implemented in urban areas, parks, wildlife refuges, and disease management areas across Iowa since these initial efforts. Find a list of current Deer Management Zones below.

• Contacting the Depredation Biologist in Your Area
• Deer Management Zone Procedures (City Administration Guidelines)

Apply for a Deer Management Hunt

To apply for a Deer Management Hunt, please call the phone number listed under "Apply/Inquire."

• 2024-2025 Deer Population Management Zone Hunts

Licenses for Deer Management Zones

Hunters must still have permission to hunt any property within areas zones: purchasing a tag does not guarantee trespassing rights. Please respect private property.

These licenses are outside of the restriction of how many firearm seasons a hunter participates in, meaning that one resident of Iowa hunter can purchase DMZ licenses for Early Muzzleloader, Shotgun 1, Shotgun 2, and Late Muzzleloader season while still obtaining a Statewide Any Sex tag for a season of their choice. 

Licenses do not transfer between seasons and hunters must still follow all of the rules for the season they are hunting and location they are hunting. These licenses may be purchased for any regular hunting season: Youth/Disabled, Early Muzzleloader, Archery, Shotgun 1, Shotgun 2, and Late Muzzleloader. They must be used within the defined boundaries of the zone they are purchased for. CWD Zone tags may only be purchased at the specific vendor listed for each zone.

There are a few stipulations hunters agree to when purchasing these licenses:

1. Licenses are good only in the zone, not county wide
2. Hunters are asked to call the number on the zone map for sample collection.
3. Successful hunters must check to see if a tissue sample is needed and provide one if requested.

Deer Management Zone Maps

• Deer Management Zone Map, Amana
• Deer Management Zone Map, Ames
• Deer Management Zone Map, Bettendorf
• Deer Management Zone Map, Cedar Rapids Linn County
• Deer Management Zone Map, Clinton
• Deer Management Zone Map, Coralville/Iowa City
• Deer Management Zone Map, Davenport
• Deer Management Zone Map, Dubuque
• Deer Management Zone Map, Iowa Falls
• Deer Management Zone Map, Polk County
• Deer Management Zone Map, Marshalltown
• Deer Management Zone Map, Muscatine
• Deer Management Zone Map, Oskaloosa
• Deer Management Zone Map, Ottumwa