White-tailed deer hunting season is approaching, so it’s time for area hunters to consider purchasing their antlerless deer tags. According to Bill Ohde, the Southeast District Wildlife Supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, before September 15th, hunters are allowed to purchase one antlerless deer tag for the season. After that date, they can purchase as many as they want until the quota for the county is met. Ohde added they use the antlerless quotas to maintain the population’s stability, and each county’s quota is determined by the existing deer population.

Washington County has a quota of 750 antlerless deer tags, and currently has 615 still available for purchase. Several counties in northwest Iowa don’t sell deer tags as a result of strained populations, while others in southeast Iowa have very large populations and many tags available. Van Buren County has the highest tag quota in the state, with 3,800 available this year, or more than half of the county’s 7,500 human population. Ohde said the tags are exclusively for female deer, as every hunter is allowed a license for two male deer every year, one for archery season, and the other for shotgun season.

Antlerless Deer Tag Quotas for Surrounding Counties:
County — Quota — Available
Washington — 750 — 615
Henry — 925 — 910
Iowa — 450 — 124
Jefferson — 1,650 — 1,638
Johnson — 850 — 455
Keokuk — 450 — 310
Louisa — 775 — 719