Deer, Turkey Hunters Must Report Harvest

Mandatory Harvest Reporting. Decades of postcard surveys to determine hunter success in deer and turkey seasons are giving way to online or telephone reporting. Beginning this fall, any hunter who tags a deer or turkey must report that kill online or through a toll-free telephone number. "The postcard surveys were slow and cumbersome, and often didn't provide reliable harvest information at the county level," explains DNR wildlife biologist Steve Roberts. "The reporting system will provide this information much faster and with much more detail. In turn, this will lead to more responsive management of deer and turkey populations."

After a deer or turkey is harvested, the hunter still must record the date and attach a transportation tag to the animal, as has been required in the past. However, this year's tag also has a registration number and instructions (in the lower left corner) for reporting the harvest by phone (800-771-4692) or online ( www.iowadnr.com). After answering a short series of questions, the hunter will receive a confirmation number. This number must be written in the blank space provided on the tag, and the number is the hunter's proof that a report has been completed.

The harvest report must be completed by midnight of the day following the harvest of an animal, before processing the animal for consumption, or before taking it to a locker, or before transporting the animal out of state, whichever comes first.

"The easiest way to report your harvest is by using a cell phone in the field to call the 800 number," suggests DNR wildlife bureau chief Dale Garner.

DNR officials say the process should take less than four minutes and that hunters should be able to access the system during peak periods, such as weekends during the two shotgun deer seasons. Only successful hunters - those tagging an animal - need to report the harvest. One hunter may report multiple harvests (such as during shotgun season party hunting), but must ensure that the correct confirmation number is written on the appropriate tag.

Failure to report the harvest could result in a fine. Law enforcement officers will actively enforce the new regulation during this fall and winter.

"We look forward to the harvest data we can receive almost immediately, as we work to manage deer and turkey populations across the state," said Garner. "We hope hunters will recognize the important role they play in helping us obtain accurate and timely information."