After a warm start to the fall hunting season, cooler temperatures are expected to bring new opportunities for Iowa deer hunters as the early muzzleloader season opens this weekend.
Heavy rainfall in September and summerlike temperatures extending into October have affected both crop harvest and early-season hunting conditions. However, recent dry weather has allowed farmers to make progress in the fields, while forecast temperatures in the 30s could change deer movement across the state.
“With the cooler temperatures coming, hunters are getting excited,” said Jace Elliott, state deer biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Elliott said abundant natural food and cover resulting from the wet growing season have kept many deer in wooded areas. As crops are harvested and temperatures fall, deer movement and hunting patterns may change.
“Deer are still disbursed, but that can change as the crops come out and temperatures drop,” Elliott said.
Iowa averages more than 50,000 bow hunters annually. In 2025, bow hunters reported harvesting more than 20,000 deer.
The DNR also works with thousands of bow hunters through its annual bow hunter observation survey, which collects information about wildlife sightings, hunting hours and other field observations.
Despite the excitement surrounding cooler weather, recent surveys indicate Iowa’s deer population remains a concern in parts of the state.
Elliott said the 2026 spring spotlight survey recorded the lowest deer counts in a decade. Even after accounting for weather conditions and survey timing, the numbers remained relatively low compared with previous years.
However, western Iowa is showing encouraging signs of improvement. Elliott said the region has gone several years without hemorrhagic disease affecting deer populations, while recent hunting regulation changes, including the removal of additional antlerless deer tags, may also be influencing herd numbers.
Iowa’s archery deer season remains open through December 4. It closes during the two regular gun seasons before reopening December 21 and continuing through January 10, 2027.
The early muzzleloader season runs October 17 through October 25.
Hunters are encouraged to monitor conditions and adjust their strategies as weather, crop harvest and deer movement change throughout the season.
Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), information provided by state deer biologist Jace Elliott.
