The January antlerless deer season begins Wednesday for 42 counties mainly in southern Iowa and is the final deer season of the year.
Even though there may be licenses left for a county, not all areas in these counties need to have extra does taken. Hunters are encouraged to work with landowners to determine desired deer population levels and adjust their doe harvest accordingly.
Hunters are reminded that they will need to have a 2012 hunting license and habitat fee to participate. The January antlerless season allows hunters to use shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns and bows. In the southern two tiers of counties, hunters may also choose a centerfire rifle, .24 caliber or larger. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Party hunting is allowed during the season, which ends Jan. 29.
One concern voiced by hunters is that bucks that have shed their antlers are taken during this season. Hunters can avoid harvesting an antlerless buck by passing up a shot at a lone deer and waiting for does and fawns traveling together.
Hunters can use the HUSH program to donate any legally harvested deer to the Food Bank of Iowa, where the meat will help Iowans in need.
All deer taken must be reported using the harvest reporting system by midnight the day after the deer is recovered. For hunters with Internet access, the online harvest reporting is the easiest way to register the deer. Hunters can report their deer online at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling the toll-free reporting number at 1-800-771-4692 or at any license vendor.
Boat show in Council Bluffs
Bass Pro Shops in Council Bluffs is holding a boat show beginning Friday and running through Jan. 22.
Several free boating and fishing seminars are scheduled both weekends. Fishing pro Keith Kavajecz, host of TV's "The Next Bite," will share fishing tips Sunday.
For more information, visit www.basspro.com/boatshow.
Turkey permits available
Spring turkey hunting permits for 2012 will be available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission starting at 1 p.m. Monday.
The archery season is March 25 to May 31, youth shotgun season is April 7 to May 31, and the regular shotgun season is April 14 to May 31.
The 2012 spring permit prices, not including issuing fees, are: resident turkey $23, nonresident turkey $90, and resident and nonresident youth turkey $5. Youth permits are for hunters younger than 16 on the opening day of the youth archery season. All turkey hunters, except residents under 16, are required to have a valid Nebraska Habitat Stamp.
Each spring, a turkey permit allows a hunter to take one male or bearded female turkey in the archery season or shotgun season. A person may purchase up to three spring turkey permits.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.org or Game and Parks permitting offices to purchase permits. For more information on turkey hunting, check out the 2012 Turkey Guide, available soon wherever permits are sold.
Calendar
MONDAY
• Spring turkey hunting permits available for purchase beginning at 1 p.m.
• Start of four-day firearm hunter education class, Paxton
WEDNESDAY
• Duck hunting season closes in High Plains Unit
THURSDAY
• Cornhusker Fly Fishers fly-tying workshop, 6 to 8 p.m., Cabela's, La Vista.
SATURDAY
• Firearm hunter education field day, Hay Springs
TUESDAY, JAN. 17
• Training for firearm hunter education apprentice instructors, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission southwest district office, 301 E. State Farm Road, North Platte, Neb. Register by Jan. 15. Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov or visit huntsafenebraska.org.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18
• Season choice, landowner and youth deer hunting seasons close
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