BOONE, Iowa — The Iowa DNR continues to see increased numbers for two deer-killing diseases and is now trying to find best practices to contain the spread ahead of the 2025 hunting season.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been tracking and maintaining deer populations for decades and they say the spread of two diseases is causing deer populations to dwindle.

“We have reason to believe that deer populations throughout much of the state are lower than previous due to hemorrhagic disease outbreaks,” said Jace Elliott, the Iowa DNR deer biologist. “We received two of the most severe outbreaks in the last two years.”

One of the two diseases, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), was first detected in Iowa in 2013 around a decade after it was discovered in surrounding states. The DNR says the number of deaths this year don’t seem bad, but shows a continuous increase from previous years.

“We’ve detected, I believe, 50 new cases of chronic wasting disease that we’ve confirmed,” said Elliott. “Unfortunately, there are three new counties in this moment coming on board with cases, Davis, Wapello, and Shelby.”

The Iowa DNR says a third of Iowa’s counties are now affected by the disease. Though Chronic Wasting Disease is spreading, there’s another disease that’s killing thousands.

Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) began popping up in 2012 and is spread by insect bites, meaning infected numbers typically fluctuate. However, the DNR says weather is a large factor and the past few years have seen staggering numbers.

The Iowa DNR says that public reporting suggests 2024 saw a severe outbreak of hemorrhagic disease.

‘We received reports of over 3,000 mortalities across the state this year from the public,” said Elliott. “Of course, we know that’s a drop in the bucket and represents a very small fraction of what likely occurred.”

The numbers represent only a fraction of what’s happening across the state for both diseases.

“The only research that’s been done on the subject uses a correction factor of about 10 X, so we can estimate that about 10% of the deer that died from EHD are being reported. So, using that correction factor, you know, minimal estimate would be around 30,000 deer this year,” said Elliott.

The DNR has tracking programs around the state and keeps tabs on highly infected areas, but they depend on hunters’ input for much of their data.

“One of the big foundations of what we hear in terms of feedback and input is from local hunters, landowners, and our staff as well,” said Elliott. “So, it is really important to be communicating what you’re seeing in the field. If you’re seeing less deer, more deer, that sort of thing.”

The DNR is looking for solutions, with numbers continuing to dwindle in an already small population.

“What we’re doing in response is looking at regulatory changes, such as lowering analyst quotas in affected counties in a way that would start to offset the mortality that the disease captured,” said Elliott.

This would decrease tag availability in affected counties, likely affecting hunting statewide. The DNR is still working to evaluate the 2024 numbers and will spend the next several months coming up with best practices for the next year.

To learn more about the spread of CWD and HD, report a deer death, or stay updated visit the Iowa DNR website.