<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0bWr7i_0w9K6aqG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0bWr7i_0w9K6aqG00" width="980" height="904" ><figcaption>Ryan "Brain" Brainard</figcaption></figure><p>If you live in Iowa, then you already know that we share the state with deer. They quite literally are everywhere. I saw two on my way to work yesterday and I live in Marion and work in downtown Cedar Rapids! While they are enjoyable to see in the wild, Iowa's deer herd also has an economic impact on the state, which is a mixed bag. But what counties have the most deer in Iowa?</p><p><a href="https://www.thegazette.com/environment-nature/iowa-dnr-releases-first-county-level-deer-density-report/">The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports</a> that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has just released the first county-level deer density report. A law was passed in 2022 that required the DNR to conduct such a survey every three years. According to the report, which you can read in its entirety <a href="https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/DF/1462727.pdf">HERE</a>, deer populations were highest in south-central and northeastern Iowa. The study found that overall, deer populations in Iowa are highest where their natural habitat is most intact, <a href="https://www.thegazette.com/environment-nature/iowa-dnr-releases-first-county-level-deer-density-report/">according to the Gazette.</a> </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1o227G_0w9K6aqG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1o227G_0w9K6aqG00" width="988" height="607" ><figcaption>Iowa Department of Natural Resources</figcaption></figure><p>Here in Eastern Iowa, the deer population for counties including Linn, Johnson, Jones, and Iowa counties is approximately 24 deer per square mile. <a href="https://www.thegazette.com/environment-nature/iowa-dnr-releases-first-county-level-deer-density-report/">The Gazette reports</a> that several methods were used to gather results including a survey from bow hunters, buck harvests, deer collision reports, and a DNR spring nocturnal spotlight survey. Officials say that the study isn't a "perfect count of deer", but that does show how density varies by county.</p><p>So what does Iowa's deer population cost us? First, the report found that the value of Iowa's deer is at least $181 million. <a href="https://www.thegazette.com/environment-nature/iowa-dnr-releases-first-county-level-deer-density-report/">The Gazette reports</a> that figure includes hunting licenses, meat processing, taxidermy, and other expenditures. But deer also COST Iowans $129 million a year in vehicle collision costs, and around $5 million in lost crops.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=40jujE_0w9K6aqG00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=40jujE_0w9K6aqG00" width="808" height="680" ><figcaption>Ryan Brainard</figcaption></figure><h2>Iowa's State Record Fish </h2><p>Fishing season has arrived in the great state of Iowa and here are photos of 34 of the state record-holders for particular species. There are actually a total of 55 record-setting fish in the state of Iowa but, unfortunately, pictures aren't available for all of them.</p><h2>No Squirrel Monkey for You, Bub! These Animals Are ILLEGAL in Iowa</h2><p>Don't even think about bringing home a cute baby elephant next time you're on safari! It's a NO GO in Iowa! (Duh?)</p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Iowa’s Deer Population: County-by-County Numbers Revealed

If you live in Iowa, then you already know that we share the state with deer. They quite literally are everywhere. I saw two on my way to work yesterday and I live in Marion and work in downtown Cedar Rapids! While they are enjoyable to see in the wild, Iowa's deer herd also has an economic impact on the state, which is a mixed bag. But what counties have the most deer in Iowa?